BJP running away from NEET issue, says Assam Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi

GUWAHATI: Assam Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has expressed strong criticism against the ruling BJP government, accusing them of stifling opposition voices and evading accountability regarding the ongoing crisis affecting students appearing for the NEET UG exams.

“Today, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi rightly said that the ruling NDA alliance and the INDIA alliance should come together to send a message of solidarity to the students suffering due to the crisis in NEET UG exams,” Assam Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi stated.

He noted that Rahul Gandhi’s microphone was switched off during his speech in the Lok Sabha, preventing him from addressing the issue fully.

“The BJP did not want to provide a specific reply on NEET. They are trying to run away from their accountability to the students of India,” Gogoi added.

The Congress MP from Assam expressed concern about the BJP-led NDA government’s transparency and responsibility towards educational challenges faced by students.

“Parliamentary democracy is about governments being accountable to the people of India,” the Assam Congress MP said.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, urged that the pressing issue of the NEET UG exam crisis be prioritized for discussion before the Motion of Thanks on the President's address is taken up.

“The NEET issue is the most important issue of the day,” Rahul Gandhi asserted.

He further added that opposition parties have reached a consensus that this matter should be discussed as a priority over any other agenda.

“The youth are worried and they do not know what is going to happen. A message and assurance should go to the youth from Parliament that India's government and the opposition are together in raising the concerns of students,” he said.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG, was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 05, with approximately 24 lakh candidates participating.

The results, announced on June 04, have since been marred by allegations of question paper leaks in states such as Bihar and other reported irregularities.

In response to these allegations, the union education ministry took the significant step of cancelling both the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) and the NEET (postgraduate) examinations.

This decision followed inputs suggesting that the integrity of these exams might have been compromised.