Akhilesh Yadav accuses Centre, Congress of NEET discussion deal in Lok Sabha

A political storm erupted in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the government and the Congress of striking a secret deal over the manner in which the NEET examination controversy was being discussed in the House.

Raising his voice on the floor, Yadav questioned the selective allocation of speaking time. "You let the BJP and Congress speak, but not us. Have the government and the Congress struck a deal?" he asked, visibly agitated.

The NEET controversy in Parliament

The NEET issue has been a flashpoint in Parliament, with multiple parties demanding a thorough debate. The opposition has alleged irregularities in the conduct of the medical entrance exam, calling for a joint parliamentary committee probe.

However, Yadav's outburst indicated a growing rift not just with the ruling party but also within the opposition ranks. He accused the Congress of monopolising the discussion, leaving smaller parties like his own in the cold.

"This is not democracy. The Speaker should ensure every party gets a fair chance to speak," Yadav said, his voice echoing in the chamber.

Dimple Yadav's new assertive avatar

Interestingly, the Samajwadi Party's aggression has not been confined to the male leadership. Akhilesh Yadav's wife and party MP, Dimple Yadav, has undergone a notable transformation in recent days.

During Monday's protests over the NEET issue at the Central Jail in Parliament, Dimple stepped out of her husband's shadow. Known as a soft-spoken bahu (daughter-in-law) of the Yadav family, she displayed a new level of aggression, leading chants and confronting security personnel.

The Print described her as having emerged "in a new avatar," while Deccan Herald noted she "stepped out of Akhilesh Yadav's shadow with a display of aggression." This shift could signal a larger strategy within the Samajwadi Party to project a more combative face in Parliament.

Political implications and reactions

Political analysts are watching the developments closely. The Samajwadi Party's confrontation with both the government and the Congress could weaken the already fragile opposition unity ahead of the next general elections.

Congress leaders have dismissed Yadav's allegations as baseless. A senior Congress MP, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "There is no deal. We are only demanding a fair discussion on NEET. Akhilesh ji is frustrated because his party's voice is not being heard."

Neither the government nor the Congress has issued an official statement on the alleged deal. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha has not yet commented on the accusations made by Akhilesh Yadav.

The NEET examination controversy continues to dominate parliamentary proceedings, with no immediate resolution in sight.