NEW DELHI: For a party which rarely makes any concession to rivals on their terms and exudes an air of bold strength rooted in popular endorsement in polls, BJP’s decision to bow to the student protest also reflects the pragmatism it has shown when confronted with street agitation — better to cut losses than let the pain fester into a more serious challenge.In Nov 2021, Modi had announced withdrawal of farm laws in the face of over a yearlong protest by farmers, which was largely confined to Punjab and parts of Haryana and western UP but had remained stubborn. The PM, too, had ascribed the decision to national interest, which observers thought was a reference to the sensitivity of Punjab as a border state.Pradhan’s mention of the stir at Jantar Mantar but no acknowledgement of Congressled opposition’s protest, which has kept Parliament’s monsoon session deadlocked, is seemingly aimed at denying any credit to BJP’s political rivals while conceding to CJP, which is not really an electoral threat.
CJP Jantar Mantar Protest Updates
With Rahul Gandhi, too, stepping up his agitation— his surprise demonstration outside Modi’s residence on July 21 was a highlight — so as not to allow CJP, seen closer to its ‘secular’ rival AAP, hog the limelight, Congress is bound to lay claim to the credit. However, BJP has more often than not seen off its challenge without much political damage.There was sympathy in the ranks for Pradhan who, as petroleum minister, rolled out the vote-spinner Ujjwala scheme and stayed engaged with the cadre. He had a stream of visitors — home minister Amit Shah and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman included.“We had to swallow the bitter pill because there was a real risk of violence breaking out. Any loss of lives would have been blamed on us. Moreover, it was about students and their families,” said a senior minister.The sense of resignation was accompanied by surprise as to why the leadership did not take measures it subsequently took to tackle the discontent: strengthening of the law against paper leaks, eviction of key bureaucrats from education ministry, drastic action against NTA officials, and Pradhan’s resignation.In his statement, Pradhan, 57, who took charge of education ministry in July 2021, emphasised his decades-long commitment to students and education, and said he took responsibility of the fallout of the NEET-UG paper leak from the very first day.The re-exam result was declared on time, and many poor meritorious students made the cut, he said, while blaming those in responsible positions, alikely swipe at Rahul and other key opposition figures, for trying to mislead students.The BJP brass expressed its full backing for Pradhan, a deft politician who has been the choice of Modi and Shah in helming numerous state elections, as he stepped down. BJP president Nitin Nabin credited him for key reforms and lauded him for prioritising larger interests, in keeping with “the highest standards of integrity and selfless service in public life”.
