- Dharmendra Pradhan labels the Cockroach Janata Party as the B team of disruptive elements
- He claims that the outfit comprises those who were rejected in democracy
- CJP had been protesting over the NEET paper leak and demanding Pradhan's resignation
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) movement is the "B team of disruptive elements," Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has asserted, tearing into the viral satirical outfit that had been protesting over the NEET paper leak.
"They are the B team of disruptive elements. Those who were rejected in the democracy have come in disguise and are now after the system. They raise slogans for those who want to divide the country. They have been identified," Pradhan said during an exclusive interview with NDTV.
Some people do not have faith in the country's progress, the senior BJP leader added.
Read: "Rahul Gandhi Scaring Students, Wants Anarchy": Education Minister's Big Charge
The education minister's remarks come a day after over 22 lakh aspiring doctors took the NEET re-exam, over a month after their previous attempt was scrapped following allegations of a paper leak. The CJP had been protesting over the leak and demanding Pradhan's resignation as education minister.
The exam was conducted under a thick layer of security that involved the country's armed forces and the state police units. Senior officials were deployed across India for monitoring.
The National Testing Body said all arrangements were made to ensure a fair and transparent examination environment. Pradhan, too, described the re-exam a success.
He also slammed the teachers who were found involved in the paper leak as "protectors who turned predators".
During the interview, Pradhan also listed the positive changes in the education system. He pointed out that the National Education Plan is being implemented, the rising participation women in the field of education, and the growing number of institutions.
Read: 'Some Teachers Turned Predators': Dharmendra Pradhan On NEET Paper Leak
He stressed that the prime minister has launched new platform, Bharat Innovates, a flagship innovation initiative. "Our priority is to accelerate education by relying on the youth of India, the needs of the world and India, the youth's aspiration," he said.
However, the previous powers ignored such needs, he suggested. Drawing a comparison, he said that those who got the opportunity to serve the people for a long time only exploited the people. His target was clear - the Congress.
"Such people indulge in the politics of bringing down the country - either through A team or B team. People are now recognising such people," the education minister said.
He also accused Rahul Gandhi of trying to "create anarchy". The Congress leader had been attacking the government over the NEET paper leak row. The Congress and Rahul Gandhi are playing "low-level politics" on the issue, he added.
