Opposition parties in the State staged a protest here on Thursday against the BJP government in the Centre and the AIADMK government for implementing NEET for medical admissions.
Speaking at the protest, DMK leader M.K. Stalin charged that both the governments had betrayed the rural youth of Tamil Nadu. He said that NEET posed a threat to social justice and the existing reservation in Tamil Nadu, for which former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had taken several steps.
Congress Legislature Party Leader K. Ramasamy, CPI leader Nallakannu, CPI(M) leader G. Ramakrishnan, IUML leader K.M. Khader Mohideen, VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, MMK leader M.H. Jawahirullah and DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi took part.
Mr. Stalin also criticised Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami for compromising the State’s stand over NEET and further recalled that the DMK had earlier supported two Bills moved in the floor of the Assembly against the national level examination.
“Do you remember how many times the Chief Minister and other Ministers called on the Prime Minister seeking exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET? But, nothing happened,” Mr. Stalin said and further questioned why Minister of State Nirmala Sitharaman misled the State government over the issue.
It may be recalled that despite opposition from most of the political parties in the State, the Centre submitted in the Supreme Court that Tamil Nadu alone cannot be exempted from NEET for medical admissions.