Senior BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya has claimed that former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had offered to resign on the very first day of the nationwide student protests over the alleged NEET paper leak.
Speaking to reporters in Indore, Vijayvargiya said Pradhan’s willingness to step down reflected his commitment to party discipline and responsibility.
‘He Offered to Resign on Day One’
Vijayvargiya said Pradhan informed the party leadership at the beginning of the protests that he was prepared to resign if the party believed it was necessary.
“From the very first day of the movement, he told the party chief, ‘If you feel that I should resign, I would.’ The party chief refused. But when circumstances changed and the party decided he should resign, he stepped down immediately,” Vijayvargiya said.
He added that such a decision reflected the qualities of a dedicated party worker.
Vijayvargiya Praises Pradhan’s Decision
Describing Pradhan as an honest and committed leader, Vijayvargiya said he has known him since their days in student politics.
He praised the former education minister for accepting the party’s decision without hesitation, calling it an example of discipline and commitment to organisational values.
Resignation Followed Nationwide Student Protests
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister following weeks of nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
In his resignation statement, Pradhan said his decision was guided by the larger interests of students and aimed at ensuring that the protests were not exploited by “anti-national forces.”
BJP Leader Alleges Opposition Tried to Politicise Protests
Vijayvargiya also alleged that opposition parties attempted to use the student protests for political gain.
According to him, the movement was initiated by students, while the Congress later extended its support. He further claimed that Pradhan’s resignation had prevented attempts by “foreign forces” to create instability in India.
The BJP leader maintained that the former minister’s resignation demonstrated accountability and commitment to the party’s collective decision-making process.
