PM Modi urges parties not to politicise NEET leak, says students' future cannot be compromised

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday used the NDA Parliamentary Party's 'Mangal Milan' meeting to send a strong message on the NEET paper leak controversy, urging political parties not to exploit the issue while assuring that the interests of students would remain the government's top priority.

Addressing NDA MPs at the GMC Balayogi Auditorium in the Parliament Library Building, Modi said the future of students should never be compromised and stressed that the government was committed to ensuring justice and protecting the integrity of examinations.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, briefing reporters after the meeting, said the Prime Minister had expressed concern over the impact of the controversy on students and appealed to political parties to avoid politicising the matter.

"The Prime Minister said students' future should not be harmed under any circumstances. He also cautioned against doing politics over the NEET issue and reiterated the government's commitment to safeguarding the interests of students," Rijiju said.

The 'Mangal Milan' meeting was convened to honour Modi after he became the longest-serving elected Prime Minister of India and to welcome newly elected Rajya Sabha members.

Prime Minister Modi arrived at the venue along with Union Ministers Jitendra Singh, Kiren Rijiju and Arjun Ram Meghwal. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and G. Kishan Reddy, and BJP National President Rahul Sinha were also present.

During the meeting, NDA partners passed a congratulatory resolution recognising Modi's milestone before the Prime Minister addressed MPs.

Ahead of the meeting, BJP MP Ashok Mittal, attending his first NDA-BJP parliamentary party meeting, said he looked forward to hearing the Prime Minister's guidance on serving the nation and fulfilling his parliamentary responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the newly formed Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), comprising 20 former Trinamool Congress MPs supporting the NDA, stayed away from the meeting as the Lok Sabha Speaker is yet to formally recognise the group's merger under the NCPI banner.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament, which began on Monday, is scheduled to continue until August 13.

Ahead of the event, BJP MP Ashok Mittal, attending his first NDA-BJP parliamentary party meeting, said he was looking forward to hearing the Prime Minister and the party leadership.

"I feel very glad to have received this opportunity to attend my first parliamentary meeting of the NDA and BJP. Listening to the Prime Minister and our National President will provide guidance on how to contribute to the country's progress and discharge my responsibilities," Mittal told ANI.

Meanwhile, the newly formed Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), comprising 20 former Trinamool Congress MPs who have extended support to the NDA, stayed away from the joint meeting as the Lok Sabha Speaker has not yet formally recognised the group's merger under the NCPI banner.

The NCPI held its first independent parliamentary party meeting on Sunday under the leadership of rebel TMC MP Sudeep Bandyopadhyay.

Speaking to reporters after that meeting, Bandyopadhyay said the group's seating arrangement, division numbers and separate legislative block had been accepted in the House. He added that the NCPI would support the NDA government and participate in parliamentary debates while raising constituency-related issues from West Bengal with the state government rather than in Delhi.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament began on Monday and will continue until August 13.