The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of colluding following a protest led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The demonstration, which took place near the Prime Minister’s residence, was sparked by the ongoing controversy surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). AAP MP Sanjay Singh argued that the protest was sanctioned by the government as a tactic to shift focus away from the student-led movement seeking accountability for the NEET paper leak, asserting that it undermined the broader public effort.
Atishi, the Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, criticized the disparity in how protests are handled by the authorities. She highlighted that while student activists faced restrictions and police actions during their protests near Parliament, Rahul Gandhi was permitted to demonstrate near the Prime Minister’s residence without such hindrances. This, she suggested, indicated preferential treatment that ultimately weakened the larger campaign for transparency regarding NEET issues.
The incident escalated when Union Minister Jitendra Singh engaged with Rahul Gandhi at the protest site, indicating that the government was open to discussing NEET-related concerns in Parliament. Despite this gesture, the protest concluded with the police detaining Rahul Gandhi along with several Congress Members of Parliament. This development has added fuel to the tension among opposition parties, with AAP alleging that the Congress, rather than bolstering the student movement, inadvertently aided the BJP by participating in what they view as a diversionary tactic.
The AAP’s criticism comes amid increasing frustration over the government’s handling of protests. The party claims that the Congress’s actions not only diverted public attention but also weakened the collective demand for accountability over the NEET controversy. This situation underscores the complex dynamics between opposition parties as they navigate their respective roles in addressing national issues and the strategies employed by the ruling party.