The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union Education Minister over the NEET paper leak controversy has sparked a fresh political battle in Punjab, with Opposition parties demanding the resignation of Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and Health Minister Balbir Singh over alleged examination paper leaks and other irregularities in the state.
The BJP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) contend that Pradhan's resignation has reinforced the need to fix accountability in Punjab, alleging that several recruitment and board examination papers have been leaked in recent years. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has maintained that all reported examination irregularities have been investigated and action taken wherever wrongdoing was found. However, it has not directly addressed the Opposition's latest demand for ministerial resignations.
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring welcomed Pradhan's resignation, describing it as a victory for protesting students. He urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains to accept responsibility, alleging that multiple examinations—including recruitment tests and the Class 12 English board exam—witnessed paper leaks during the AAP government's tenure.
Warring further alleged that students protesting against paper leaks were subjected to police action and accused the government of failing to ensure accountability. Referring to earlier remarks by senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia that ministers should resign if examination papers were leaked, Warring argued that the same standard should now be applied in Punjab.
The BJP also intensified its criticism of the Punjab government. Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa questioned why AAP leaders who supported protests over the NEET controversy had remained silent on alleged paper leaks in Punjab. He called for strict action against those responsible and demanded Bains' resignation.
The Shiromani Akali Dal echoed the demand. SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal accused the Punjab government of failing to safeguard the credibility of the examination system and sought the resignation of both Harjot Singh Bains and Balbir Singh, alleging repeated examination-related controversies under the AAP administration.
AAP leaders have previously argued that holding ministers responsible for every examination irregularity is misleading, asserting that the government has taken action against officials wherever evidence of misconduct has emerged. The party has also said that improving recruitment procedures and strengthening examination security remain key priorities.
The political confrontation comes ahead of next year's Punjab Assembly elections, with Opposition parties attempting to draw parallels between the Centre's handling of the NEET controversy and the AAP government's response to allegations of paper leaks in the state.
While the BJP, Congress and SAD have stepped up pressure on the Bhagwant Mann government, the AAP has yet to issue a detailed response to the latest calls for the resignation of Harjot Singh Bains and Balbir Singh. The issue is expected to remain a major political flashpoint in the run-up to the Assembly polls.
