Chennai: Facing heat from the opposition parties over National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance Test (Neet), especially with its image on the downward graph in the wake of medical aspirant Anitha’s tragic death, the BJP took up cudgels against DMK daring it for a debate on its performance when that party shared power with Congress during the UPA regime.
BJP senior and Union Minister of State for Finance and Shipping, Pon Radhakrishnan tore into DMK saying it had “betrayed” students on Neet. Daring DMK’s Working President M.K. Stalin for a debate on DMK’s performance during UPA regime, the Minister asked, “What did your DMK do for Tamil Nadu when your party enjoyed power with Congress at the Centre?”
“Let’s have an open debate on this. You had asked what did the BJP government do in three years of its rule…. I shall explain.. I am prepared for a debate,” Radhakrishnan said. He claimed that while all along BJP had insisted that Neet is here to stay, the political parties in the state had proclaimed that they would not allow Neet. “They misled the students with false assurances,” Radhakrishnan said accusing the DMK of indulging in opportunistic politics.
Interestingly, the saffron party’s Saturday rally at Tiruchy is a maiden attempt to explain its stand on Neet on a public platform and also to inform people how TN political parties had left the student community bewildered on whether Neet will be held or not.
When asked about Stalin’s remark that she became a doctor without appearing for Neet, party president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan replied, “There was no Neet then. Had it been mandatory (then) I would have written it. If I am to write now I can. Can Stalin clear it?”
Party demands strict action against anti-Neet protesters
Accusing the opposition DMK of indulging in opportunistic politics, the BJP on Sunday has demanded the State government to initiate stringent action on all those inciting the students to agitate against Neet.
“Certain political parties like the DMK are indulging is bad and opportunistic politics with regard to Neet. The State government should take stringent action on all those inciting the students to protest against Neet,” BJP state president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan said.
Asserting that both social justice and equality have been protected in Neet, she said the students are aware of this fact. She also announced that her party would stage an agitation in a democratic manner in support of Neet in Chennai on September 14.
Recently, DMK working president M.K. Stalin, who led the opposition parties in a protest against Neet had said he would strive to bring down the BJP-led government at the Centre and also the AIADMK government in the state, over Neet.
