Cong fires salvo at Centre over exam paper leaks, BJP hits back

Sambalpur: Congress NSUI in-charge Kanhaiya Kumar and NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar on Tuesday led a “Jan Akrosh Rally” in Sambalpur, beginning their visit with floral tributes to tribal icon Birsa Munda at Ainthapali Square before taking part in a bike rally with Congress workers.

The rally culminated at Dhanakauda, where Kumar, state Congress president Bhakta Charan Das and Jakhar addressed a gathering.

Kumar launched a sharp attack on Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over recurring incidents of alleged exam paper leaks, dubbing him “Leak Pradhan” and demanding his resignation. He alleged that a govt unable to conduct fair exams has no moral authority to manage the education system.

Targeting PM Narendra Modi, Kumar said despite frequent interactions with students on exam issues, the Centre has failed to act effectively against paper leaks. Expressing concern over students allegedly driven to distress by such incidents, he urged Odisha’s youth to raise their voices.

Kumar also accused the BJP and the Election Commission of undermining democracy in Madhya Pradesh by allegedly facilitating the rejection of Congress candidate Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination, calling it an attack on democratic values.

Reacting to the rally, BJP MLA Jay Narayan Mishra said Congress is “in the ICU” and accused it of presiding over multiple question paper leaks during its tenure. Referring to the recent paper leak controversy, he said PM Modi has made it clear that those involved will not be spared.

Expressing regret over the recent paper leak incident, Mishra said steps are being taken to prevent recurrence and warned of strict action against those responsible. Targeting Kumar, Mishra accused him of backing divisive slogans in the past. He also criticised Odisha Congress chief, alleging that despite hailing from western Odisha, the rally saw poor turnout.