After NEET Row Resignation, Dharmendra Pradhan Received by Cheering BJP MPs at Parliament

Dharmendra Pradhan arrived at the Parliament House on Monday, a day after resigning as Education Minister, to a warm welcome from a large crowd of BJP and NDA MPs. The MP from Odisha stepped out of his car with a smile, folded his hands in a namaste, and walked through the cheering crowd amid shouts of 'Dharmendra Pradhan zindabad'.

Supporters crowded around him, with one MP placing a traditional cap on his head and another draping a shawl over his shoulders. Some MPs remarked that this was the first time a minister had resigned without facing any allegations.

Pradhan resigned on Saturday following demands from the Congress party over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, which has sparked nationwide protests. The opposition had called for his removal, holding him accountable for the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam.

When Congress MP Jairam Ramesh remarked, 'It happens,' referring to the resignation, Pradhan replied, 'Nothing happened. I am a street fighter, not an AC-room activist.' The exchange highlighted the political tensions surrounding the issue.

In his resignation statement posted on X, Pradhan said, 'I am pained to see the events of the past 10 days. This is not a matter of personal prestige for me. India's youth power is the real strength of this nation. My resolve is that we will not let the country's youth get trapped in a vicious cycle of confusion.'

Pradhan, a key BJP strategist, has played a significant role in the party's electoral successes in several states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Karnataka. He was also instrumental in the BJP's victory in the recent Haryana assembly elections and the party's strong performance in Odisha.

Following his resignation, Home Minister Amit Shah visited his residence, and top BJP leaders, including party chief JP Nadda and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, publicly endorsed his work in the education sector. Party members described his resignation as an example of 'political accountability', 'sacrifice', and putting 'national interest' first.

Political analysts suggest that Pradhan may be assigned a new role within the party organisation or tasked with leading the BJP's campaign for the upcoming assembly elections in five states. His supporters believe the move will strengthen his image among the public and in his parliamentary constituency, Sambalpur.

Pradhan's resignation is also expected to impact the internal dynamics of the Odisha BJP, where he is a dominant figure. He has been instrumental in the party's expansion in the state since 2014, and a majority of the state's 78 BJP MLAs and about 40% of ministers in the Odisha cabinet are considered close to him.