India Bloc Meeting Conclusion: Opposition Demands Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation

India Bloc Meet in Delhi Live: The INDIA bloc concluded its Delhi meeting with a consensus on five key issues, including writing a joint letter to the Chief Justice of India, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam-related controversies, concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, rising inflation, and foreign policy matters. Opposition leaders also emphasized unity and coordination ahead of upcoming elections.

As the DMK stayed away from the INDIA bloc meeting on Monday, party spokesperson TKS Elangovan said the Congress is no longer aligned with the DMK after joining hands with the TVK.

Explaining the party’s decision to skip the gathering, Elangovan said Congress has indicated that it plans to contest future local body and parliamentary elections as part of the TVK alliance. “If they are with the TVK alliance, then they are not with our alliance. In that case, there is no reason for us to be there with them,” he said, underscoring the widening rift between the two parties in Tamil Nadu.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Centre over rising prices of essential commodities, alleging that non-BJP-ruled states are facing discrimination. He said inflation continues to burden citizens, while tensions and conflict in the Middle East have contributed to a sharp increase in energy costs, further affecting household expenses.

Kharge also highlighted what he described as the “gross mismanagement” of the examination system, saying it has shattered the aspirations of lakhs of students. Referring to the NEET-UG 2026 controversy, he noted that the examination was cancelled and later rescheduled following allegations of a widespread paper leak. The issue triggered nationwide protests, intervention by the Supreme Court, and multiple arrests, with opposition parties demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called on opposition parties to strengthen and carry forward the “spirit of unity,” saying the country is facing several challenges due to what he described as the Centre’s misgovernance.

He also alleged that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise is depriving crores of people of their voting rights, raising concerns over the electoral process.

Senior opposition leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, Omar Abdullah have come to New Delhi for the meeting of the INDIA bloc. They are expected to discuss alliance’s strategy for the upcoming polls and coordinate between the opposition parties.