Ranchi, Sept 2: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) General Secretary Vinod Kumar Pandey on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using concerns surrounding JPSC and JSSC examinations for political purposes, describing the party’s agitation and 48-hour ultimatum as an attempt to gain political mileage.
Pandey said the BJP should openly pursue its political or legal battle instead of, according to him, using students’ concerns as a shield.
Questioning the BJP’s demand and its pressure on the state administration, Pandey said the issue related to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe was already under judicial consideration. He asked why political pressure was being created when the matter was pending before the court.
The JMM leader said Chief Minister Hemant Soren had taken students’ concerns seriously and that the state government had initiated action in connection with allegations of irregularities in examinations.
According to Pandey, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has continued its investigation and action against individuals allegedly linked to examination-related irregularities.
He claimed that progress in the investigation had caused concern within the BJP.Pandey further alleged that the BJP was demanding a CBI probe to protect certain people who could have connections with the alleged irregularities. He questioned the BJP’s lack of confidence in the ongoing investigation by state agencies and said the party should clarify its position.
He said that compromising with the future of students would not be acceptable but maintained that student concerns should not be turned into a political instrument.“If the BJP wants to fight a political battle, it should do so openly, and if it wants to pursue a legal battle, it should follow the legal process,” Pandey said.
He alleged that the people of Jharkhand had understood the BJP’s political strategy and claimed that the party was more concerned about strengthening its political position than addressing the future of students.
The BJP had not immediately responded to the allegations at the time of the statement.
