Maharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan calls CJP protest ‘sponsored’, says those behind it will be exposed

Maharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan said that the Centre had already acted against those linked to the alleged NEET paper leak. File Pic

Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Ravindra Chavan has described the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination as a "sponsored" agitation, reported the PTI.

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur on Wednesday, Ravindra Chavan claimed that the people backing the protest would be identified and exposed within the next few days.

Chavan said that the Centre had already acted against those linked to the alleged NEET paper leak.

He stated that seven to eight people had been arrested in connection with the case and were currently in jail.

He also said that the country was witnessing rapid development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the PTI.

BJP accuses Opposition of political agenda

The BJP leader alleged that parties in the Opposition alliance were using the student protest to pursue their own political interests.

According to Chavan, different Opposition parties have separate agendas and are attempting to gain political advantage from the ongoing agitation, news agency reported, the news agency reported.

He claimed that the details about those who had allegedly sponsored the protest would soon be made public.

Earlier in the day, Chavan attended a 'Mahayagya' organised in Nagpur to mark the birthday of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Protest continues in Delhi

The CJP-led protest began on 20 June, with demonstrators demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities, reforms to the education system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest on 28 June and has been on an indefinite hunger strike since then. He is continuing his fast from Medanta Hospital after being moved from Safdarjung Hospital following an order by the Delhi High Court, as per the PTI.

Opposition leaders detained during demonstration

On Tuesday, senior Opposition leaders, including Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, staged a sit-in protest outside the Prime Minister's residence in Delhi, demanding Mr Modi's resignation.

Police removed the leaders from the protest site, and they were released a few hours later, the news agency reported.

(with PTI inputs)