‘Shameless’: BJP Targets Punjab Education Minister Over Paper Leak Row, Demands Resignation

BJP Demands Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains’ Resignation Over Paper Leak Row

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday stepped up its attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the alleged examination paper leak controversy in Punjab, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and accusing the party of adopting “double standards” on ministerial accountability.

The BJP’s offensive comes after former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. The party argued that the same yardstick should now be applied to Punjab’s Education Minister.

Amit Malviya Questions Bains’ Continuance

BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya questioned why Harjot Bains remained in office despite the controversy surrounding the alleged paper leaks.

“One question that now deserves a clear answer: When is Punjab’s Education Minister going to resign?” Malviya wrote in a post on X.

He said accountability should not vary depending on which party is in power, adding that those who demanded resignations in similar situations elsewhere should not remain silent when allegations are raised in Punjab.

BJP Suggests Sonam Wangchuk as Alternative

In a swipe at AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Malviya suggested that if the party genuinely believed education reformer Sonam Wangchuk had solutions for India’s education system, it should appoint him as Punjab’s Education Minister.

“Perhaps Arvind Kejriwal should announce the Punjab Education Minister’s resignation and appoint Sonam Wangchuk in his place. If he truly believes Mr Wangchuk has the answers to fixing India’s education system, this would be the perfect opportunity to let him begin with Punjab,” he said.

Malviya concluded by saying that ministerial accountability “cannot depend on political convenience” and must be applied uniformly.

Shehzad Poonawalla Joins Attack

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also targeted Harjot Bains over the alleged paper leak controversy.

Sharing a video of the Punjab minister on X, Poonawalla accused him of refusing to take responsibility and questioned why he had not resigned despite the allegations.

In a strongly worded post, Poonawalla referred to Bains as a “shameless clown” and criticised him for, in his view, attempting to brush aside the controversy instead of accepting responsibility.