Kejriwal Criticizes BJP Amid Exam Paper Leak Controversy in Maharashtra
NEW DELHI: In the wake of a recently cancelled entrance examination due to a suspected paper leak in BJP-led Maharashtra, Arvind Kejriwal, national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has leveled serious accusations against the ruling party. On Saturday, he claimed that the BJP is guilty of misconduct not only in the examination process but also in the management of temples.
Kejriwal specifically referenced the NEET-UG paper leak issue and the alleged mishandling of temple donations in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. These incidents have been central to his previous criticisms targeting the BJP. “Another exam has been leaked. They’ve spared neither the exams nor the temples. They’re stealing everywhere,” Kejriwal expressed on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Although he did not name specific individuals, Kejriwal remarked on the reassurances that only lower-level officials are involved, questioning the credibility of such claims. He stated, “Some of their favourite people claim that only lower-level functionaries are involved and that the higher-ups have no role. But such large-scale chaos happening repeatedly every day isn’t possible without the involvement of those at the top. It simply can’t be that the money isn’t reaching the higher-ups.”
Kejriwal further alleged that the BJP leadership is utilizing these funds to “buy” Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) from other political parties. He emphasized that even if one were to assume that the higher-ups had no involvement, it reflects a failure in management. He stated, “Temples aren’t being managed. Exams can’t even be conducted under them. How will they run the country? The country is not safe in their hands, friends.”
The controversy stems from the Maharashtra State Council of Examination’s (MSCE) decision on Saturday to postpone the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) scheduled for the following day. This decision came after a police investigation in Bhiwandi revealed a suspected question paper leak. In an official statement, the MSCE confirmed that despite having implemented stringent security measures in light of previous irregularities during the NEET-UG examination, confidential information indicated that individuals in Bhiwandi were in possession of crucial data related to the TET question paper.
The examination was to be conducted at 1,028 centers across Maharashtra, with the council promising to announce a new date for the test in due course.
