Pawar claims he nudged PM to talk to students, leading to minister's resignation
Even as Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday and protesting students withdrew their agitation, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar described the events as a “major victory of country’s youth power.”
Pawar said he had advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a dialogue with the students or face adverse consequences. The veteran politician claimed he personally met the Prime Minister and urged him to initiate talks.
“I had personally met the Prime Minister and requested him that, in a democracy, there is a need to maintain dialogue. Not maintaining dialogue leads to adverse consequences. You must start a dialogue. Either you should take the resignation or listen to what they have to say. For that, you should discuss this with the Union Cabinet and two-three of your colleagues,” Pawar said.
He added that he also spoke with Abhijit and his colleagues, advising them to be open to dialogue if the government showed willingness. “Therefore, whatever I spoke with Narendra Modi had its effect today, and the Education Minister’s resignation has happened today,” he said.
The protests, which had been ongoing for several days, ended after Pradhan’s resignation. The exact sequence of events leading to the minister’s decision remains unclear, though Pawar’s claim suggests his intervention may have played a role.
