
BJP MPs gave former education minister Dharmendra Pradhan a rousing welcome as he entered Parliament on Monday. Chants of 'Dharmendra Pradhan Zindabad' echoed in the corridors as party colleagues gathered around him.
The display of unity came amid ongoing opposition attacks over Pradhan's tenure. Many BJP leaders were seen escorting him into the House, a clear signal of the party's backing.
Congress MPs condemned the welcome, accusing the BJP of trying to shield Pradhan from accountability. βThey are celebrating a failure,β a senior Congress leader said, declining to be named.
The opposition has repeatedly targeted Pradhan over education policy and alleged irregularities. Monday's reception only deepened the political divide, with Congress demanding a thorough inquiry into his work.
Inside the House, Pradhan did not hold back. When a Congress MP interrupted his remarks, he responded sharply. βI am a street fighter,β he said, according to sources. βI have faced bigger challenges.β
The remark drew cheers from BJP benches and sharp retorts from the opposition. The exchange highlighted the combative mood in Parliament as both sides dug in.
Political analysts had mixed takes on the day's events. Some said the BJP's show of strength was aimed at rallying its base. Others argued it exposed the party's nervousness over a potential liability.
Meanwhile, editorials and opinion pieces offered divergent views. One major newspaper ran a piece titled 'Sacrificing Pradhan Won't Save Modi', suggesting the party's strategy could backfire.
Another publication published a 'Pradhan report card', assessing his performance as education minister. The report noted both achievements and controversies, without drawing firm conclusions.
As Parliament debates continue, all eyes will be on whether the opposition can sustain its offensive or the BJP's show of unity holds firm.