Patna: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Sinha criticized the opposition amid the paper leak controversy, urging them to cooperate with the investigation into the irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG exams. "What games were played under the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) government? Don't fool the public; instead, cooperate with the agencies in their probe into the irregularities in the NEET-UG exams," Sinha said, addressing the media.
Sinha reiterated his allegations against RJD leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav. "I have been asking this for the past three to four days. Why is Tejashwi Yadav unable to clarify whether his secretary Pritam Kumar booked a room for Sikander Kumar Yadavendu, one of the accused in the paper leak row?" Sinha asked. He called for an investigation, questioning when the mentality of playing with children's futures would end. Sinha pointed out that under the RJD government, two chairmen of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) went to jail and criticized the Congress party for commenting on the NEET row.
Earlier, Sinha claimed that Tejashwi's secretary, Pritam Kumar, had arranged a room at a National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) guest house for Sikander Kumar Yadavendu, an accused in the case. He mentioned that the term "Mantri" (Minister) was used for the former Deputy CM. Sinha detailed this claim during a press conference, saying that Pritam Kumar made calls on May 1 and May 4 to book the room.
Sinha demanded that Tejashwi Yadav clarify whether Pritam Kumar is still his Personal Secretary and explain who Sikander Kumar Yadavendu is. He alleged that Yadavendu, a Junior Engineer in the irrigation department, had served Lalu Prasad Yadav when he was jailed in Ranchi. Sinha accused the RJD of playing with people's futures and influencing appointment processes through scams.
Patna police have arrested several individuals, including some NEET candidates. Among them are Anurag Yadav, his uncle Sikander Yadavendu, and two others, Nitish Kumar and Anand.
Tejashwi Yadav responded to the allegations, accusing the BJP of trying to divert attention from the real issue. "The INDIA alliance is united on this issue. We want the NEET exam to be immediately canceled. The BJP has all the investigation agencies and can call the PS or PA for the probe. They want to divert the issue from the kingpin. Dragging my name or my PA's name will not benefit anyone. The engineer mentioned might be a beneficiary, but Amit Anand and Nitish Kumar are the masterminds of the paper leak. The public knows that paper leaks occur whenever the BJP is in power," the RJD leader said.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has faced criticism over alleged irregularities in this year's NEET-UG exams and the NET exam, leading to protests and demands to disband the NTA. Concerns grew after an unprecedented 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720. In response, the Education Ministry has formed a seven-member committee to reform the examination process and the functioning of the NTA.
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