NEET row triggers BJP-Congress face off in Chhattisgarh,

The political confrontation over the alleged NEET paper leak, lathi-charge on students and the demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation intensified in Chhattisgarh. Over the past two days, the BJP and the Congress have taken their battle to the streets, holding rival demonstrations and exchanging sharp allegations. According to the police, the clashes left 16 police personnel injured, while FIRs were registered against 12 Congress workers.

The Chhattisgarh BJP, on Thursday, announced a march to the state Congress headquarters, Rajiv Bhavan, in protest against the Congress demonstration outside the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi. The rally, led by state BJP president Kiran Dev, was joined by several ministers and senior party leaders. Party workers marched from the Shankar Nagar Turning Point to Rajiv Bhavan.

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Tension flared outside Rajiv Bhavan as BJP workers, Congress supporters and police personnel came face-to-face. The situation quickly turned volatile, with reports of pushing and shoving, stone pelting, slippers being hurled and bottles and wooden pieces thrown during the confrontation. Police said that 16 personnel sustained injuries in the violence. Cases were subsequently registered against 12 Congress workers under various sections of the law.

The incident triggered a fresh exchange of accusations between the two parties. The BJP alleged that the Congress had politicised the students’ protest by involving party workers and encouraging violence. The Congress, on the other hand, claimed that tha BJP workers attacked Rajiv Bhavan and alleged that tear gas shells were fired and force was used against its leaders and workers before police registered cases only against Congress members.

Addressing a press conference, BJP state president Kiran Deo said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi considers students’ interests a top priority and that no one responsible for compromising their future would be spared. He accused the Congress of politicising the students’ agitation and using objectionable language against the Prime Minister. Deo also said the Centre is ready for a discussion on the issue in Parliament, but alleged that the Congress is avoiding such a debate.

Meanwhile the Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij alleged that BJP ministers and workers had arrived at the Congress headquarters to attack party members. He claimed water cannons, tear gas and force were used against Congress workers, while police action was taken only against the Congress. Baij also accused the police of acting in a one sided manner.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai dismissed the Congress allegations, describing them as a sign of the party’s “frustration”.

The controversy over the alleged NEET paper leak, the alleged police action against students and the demand for the Union Education Minister’s resignation has sparked protests in several states. In Chhattisgarh, the issue has now developed into a major political confrontation. The Congress has decided to expand its campaign to the block level, while the BJP continues to accuse the opposition of giving a political colour to the students’ movement.