Chennai, Sept 2:
Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna on Tuesday said a political change at the Centre in 2029 would pave the way for the abolition of the NEET examination.
Speaking during Zero Hour in the Assembly, Aadhav said the political situation would change in 2029 and that NEET would subsequently be scrapped through Parliament. His remarks have triggered speculation amid claims by TVK leaders that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay could emerge as a national political leader in the 2029 Lok Sabha election.
The Minister made the remarks while recalling the death of medical aspirant Anitha of Ariyalur, whose death nine years ago had become a major flashpoint in Tamil Nadu’s opposition to NEET.
Aadhav said the State’s opposition to NEET had continued across successive governments. He noted that resolutions against the examination had been adopted by earlier Chief Ministers M.K. Stalin and Edappadi K. Palaniswami and subsequently by the present government.
However, he said the Union government had not accepted Tamil Nadu’s demand.
Referring to the continuing campaign against NEET, Aadhav said the State should remain united in opposing the examination while urging students not to take extreme steps over their academic performance.
He appealed to students to remain courageous and strong and stressed that no student should lose their life over an examination.
His reference to a political change in 2029 has added to speculation over the TVK’s long-term national political plans.