NEET-CBSE Row Explodes! INDIA Bloc Demands Education Minister's Exit, Plans Fresh Offensive on Poll Integrity

New Delhi: In a major escalation of its attack on the Centre, the INDIA bloc on Monday unanimously demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in NEET and CBSE examinations, accusing the government of failing millions of students.

The demand emerged from a high-profile meeting of 23 opposition parties at the Constitution Club, where leaders discussed issues ranging from examination controversies and unemployment to electoral integrity and rising prices.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge announced that the alliance had resolved to seek Pradhan's immediate resignation, alleging that students were let down by a series of exam-related failures, including the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy and reported technical glitches in CBSE systems.

Calling it a "betrayal of lakhs of youth," Kharge said the opposition would continue to raise the issue both inside and outside Parliament.

Opposition Closes Ranks

The meeting brought together top opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and others, signaling renewed efforts to strengthen opposition unity ahead of key political battles.

Leaders agreed to hold coordination meetings every two months, with the next major INDIA bloc gathering scheduled for Hyderabad on August 8.

Fresh Battle Over Electoral Rolls

Apart from education issues, the alliance also sharpened its attack on the government's electoral processes. Kharge announced that the bloc would soon send a letter to the Chief Justice of India raising concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged threats to voting rights.

The opposition maintained that questions surrounding electoral transparency require urgent attention and vowed to keep pressure on the government.

BJP Hits Back

The Bharatiya Janata Party swiftly rejected the allegations. BJP MP Sambit Patra dismissed the opposition's criticism of SIR as a repetitive excuse used after electoral setbacks.

Patra argued that similar electoral roll exercises had taken place in states governed by opposition parties and accused the INDIA bloc of selectively raising objections only after defeats.

Parliament Showdown Ahead

The opposition alliance also demanded that the Centre convene an all-party meeting to discuss unemployment, inflation, farmers' concerns and the broader economic situation.

With the Monsoon Session of Parliament approaching, opposition leaders indicated they would mount a coordinated campaign on issues affecting youth and democratic institutions, setting the stage for a potentially stormy session.

The meeting underscored the INDIA bloc's attempt to project unity and shift the political narrative toward education, jobs and electoral accountability as national political tensions continue to rise.