Nagpur: Congress MLA Nana Patole on Tuesday intensified the Opposition’s attack on the BJP over the alleged examination paper leak controversy, accusing the ruling party of protecting those jeopardising the future of lakhs of students. He also questioned the Maharashtra govt’s response to allegations surrounding the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Drug Inspector recruitment examination.Separately, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also challenged the state govt to publicly clarify its stand on the alleged MPSC paper leak.Patole alleged that those linked to the ruling party were involved in examination paper leaks and claimed that govts at both the Centre and the state had failed to safeguard the integrity of competitive examinations.“The central govt is responsible for the paper leak. Office-bearers of the BJP are involved in this paper leak,” Patole alleged.Referring to repeated controversies over recruitment and entrance examinations, he said, “The role that PM Narendra Modi’s govt has taken, of ruining the future of our children, is no longer acceptable to the country’s youth.”Patole also questioned chief minister Devendra Fadnavis over allegations that the MPSC Drug Inspector examination paper was circulated before the test, saying the state govt had earlier assured the Assembly that safeguards would prevent such incidents.“This is not the responsibility of education minister Dada Bhuse alone. It is the responsibility of the Fadnavis govt,” Patole said.Alleging that the govt was attempting to suppress the issue, the Sakoli MLA said, “When a govt tries to hide its sin, it proves that it is responsible for this entire scam. The beneficiaries of the paper leak are BJP’s own people,” he alleged.Patole’s remarks come amid continuing political debate over alleged examination paper leaks and allegations relating to the MPSC recruitment process. They also follow the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan after the NEET-UG paper leak controversy and Parliament’s consideration of legislation to strengthen penalties for examination paper leaks.
