Ashok Gehlot accuses BJP of blocking students from Rahul Gandhi Kota event on NEET leak issue

Jaipur: Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot alleged on Monday that the BJP is attempting to prevent students from participating in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's proposed interactive programme in Kota on June 17 on the NEET paper "leak". Gehlot said there is enthusiasm among students and Congress workers regarding the programme, where the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha is scheduled to interact with students over issues related to the alleged NEET paper leak.

Gehlot claimed that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been "rattled" by the response to the event and accused functionaries linked to the office of Kota MP and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla of pressuring coaching institutes, paying-guest accommodations and guesthouse operators to discourage students from attending the programme.

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"Calls are being made to coaching centres, PG and guesthouse operators, asking them to ensure that no student from their establishments attends the event," he said. The veteran Congress leader said such actions are contrary to democratic norms and criticised what he termed attempts to obstruct an interaction between Gandhi and students.

He said a person occupying a constitutional position, such as that of the Lok Sabha speaker, should not endorse such an approach and described the alleged efforts to prevent students from attending the programme as "condemnable". Gandhi is scheduled to visit Kota on June 17 as part of a Congress campaign focussing on the issues of paper leaks, unemployment and concerns of students and youngsters. There was no immediate response from Birla's office on the allegation.