The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has raised concerns about alleged collusion between the Congress and the BJP following a protest led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi near the Prime Minister’s residence concerning the NEET controversy. AAP MP Sanjay Singh criticized this demonstration, suggesting it was permitted by the government to distract from the significant student-led demands for accountability regarding the NEET paper leak. Singh argued that this action undermined the broader public campaign seeking justice for students.
Atishi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, echoed these sentiments, questioning the government’s differing responses to protests. She highlighted that while student protesters and activists faced restrictions and police actions during demonstrations near Parliament, Rahul Gandhi was allowed to protest near the Prime Minister’s residence without similar constraints, and his protest quickly garnered a government response. This discrepancy, according to Atishi, is indicative of unequal treatment by authorities.
The protest led to a swift encounter between Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Jitendra Singh at the protest site, where the minister conveyed that the government was open to discussing NEET-related issues in Parliament. Despite this assurance, the demonstration concluded with the detention of Rahul Gandhi and several Congress MPs by the police.
These events have brought to light the increasing tensions among opposition parties, with AAP accusing the Congress of indirectly aiding the BJP rather than supporting the larger student movement. The accusations suggest a rift within opposition ranks regarding the strategies employed in addressing the NEET issue and the broader implications for student rights.