Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan seeks full-time education minister, says cabinet lacks suitable candidate

MUMBAI: Prithviraj Chavan, senior Congress leader, has criticised the centre's decision to give Pralhad Joshi, union minister temporary responsibility for the education ministry. Calling the arrangement a stopgap measure, Chavan urged the government to appoint a full-time education minister with the stature and ability to connect with the younger generation.

In a post on X, Chavan said that the country needs a leader who can understand gen Z and address what he described as a "broken" system. He also claimed that none of the current members of the Union Cabinet would be suitable for the position. He also opposed speculation about Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra chief minister being moved to Delhi for the education portfolio.

He also wrote, "The historic agitation by the CJP and Gen Z has claimed its first scalp: that of the Dharmendra Pradhan, union education minister - a landmark moment. The PM has given a temporary charge to Pralhad Joshi, who already holds three portfolios and now juggles a fourth. This is clearly a stopgap till the monsoon session of Parliament. The prime minister will soon have to name a full-time Education Minister - someone of national stature who can connect with Gen Z, fix the broken educational system, and push for increased funding for education. I don't see any such person in the current Cabinet".

Also read Paper-leak bill won’t help, argue opposition MPs; Priyanka Gandhi questions Pralhad Joshi’s appointment

Chavan suggests educationist, corporate leaders

Prithviraj Chavan argued that the Congress and gen Z would not support such a move, citing allegations involving coaching institutes in Maharashtra in connection with the NEET paper leak.

He suggested that the government should consider appointing an educationist or senior bureaucrat , including a former vice-chancellor, to lead the ministry. He also floated the possibility of selecting someone from the corporate sector, naming Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani as one potential choice.

Chavan further alleged that the higher education system has been filled with people loyal to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and even criticised their competence. His remarks has come amid the discussions over the centre's decision to assign education portfolio temporarily and the wider debate over the leadership of the education ministry.