BJP targets LoP over support to JPSC-JSSC aspirants’ protest; Cong says Rahul Gandhi was first to raise the issue

New Delhi: After Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP), Rahul Gandhi, extended support to the ongoing protest by JPSC-JSSC aspirants in Jharkhand, the BJP on Friday accused him and the Congress of indulging in “politics of convenience” and alleged that their response to students’ movements varies depending on the state involved. The Congress on its part said Rahul Gandhi was the first to raise the issue of paper leaks.

Speaking to IANS, BJP Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi questioned the Congress leadership’s approach to the issue and said LoP Gandhi had remembered Jharkhand only after the agitation gained momentum.

“He remembered Jharkhand so quickly. The Congress has four ministers in the Jharkhand government, but has even one of them gone to meet the students? If Rahul Gandhi were serious about the issue, he would have pressured Chief Minister Hemant Soren to order a CBI investigation,” Saraogi said.

He further said that the Congress often engages in politics under the guise of supporting students’ movements.

“Rahul Gandhi and the Congress are always involved in politics under the pretext of student protests. They should put pressure on the government to initiate a CBI enquiry into the matter,” he added.

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo also criticised LoP Gandhi, claiming that the Congress responds selectively to student concerns.

“Rahul Gandhi and the Congress Party have been exposed. They practices politics of convenience. Their attitude towards students and protests changes depending on which state is involved,” Shahdeo claimed.

He said that protesting students had been seeking LoP Gandhi’s intervention for nearly two weeks.

“For the last 13 to 14 days, students have been asking when Rahul Gandhi would come. He did not respond during that period. Now, after all these days, he has released a video message and spoken to students. People do not want virtual support; they want leaders to come to the ground and stand with them,” Shahdeo said.

He further stated that LoP Gandhi should directly engage with the Jharkhand government, where the Congress is a coalition partner.

BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, while welcoming LoP Gandhi’s decision to interact with the students, said the move had come much later than expected.

“I welcome Rahul Gandhi’s decision to interact with the students, but he has done it very late. This should have happened a year or two ago,” Singh said.

JD(U) National Spokesperson, Rajiv Ranjan Prasad, also questioned the timing of LoP Gandhi’s intervention.

“The first question is why they woke up from their deep slumber only on the 14th day of the protest. The students have consistently and peacefully raised their demands. They have repeatedly said that jobs are not being awarded on the basis of merit and qualifications, and that candidates have to pay a heavy price for opportunities,” Prasad said.

Responding to the criticism, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said the party was committed to addressing the concerns of students.

“We are ready to address the genuine problems of the students and hold discussions with them. Regarding the ongoing protest in Ranchi, a group comprising four ministers and student representatives has been formed, and talks will be held soon to resolve their issues,” he said.

Congress leader Husain Dalwai, in a reference to the Congress party’s nationwide ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ movement against paper leaks said, “In fact, Rahul Gandhi was the first to raise this issue, and he has been consistently working on it.”

“Wherever there is something wrong, he speaks about it. It doesn’t matter whose government is in power—even if it is our own government, he will continue to point it out and try to make them understand,” said Husain Dalwai.

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto welcomed support from all political parties and stressed that the movement transcended political affiliations.

“This support should come from everyone because this is a protest by aggrieved students. Whether it is the BJP, Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, or any other party, all should support the students. Students belong to every family. This movement is against the growing problem of paper leaks in Jharkhand,” Mahto said.

IANS