New Delhi, 25 July (H.S.): Apart from the protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), mounting pressure from constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is also being seen as a significant factor behind the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

According to sources, in view of the growing student protests in support of the CJP at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and across several states, NDA alliance partners urged the Central government to take a swift decision. It is learnt that allies from states including Maharashtra and Bihar cautioned the government that if timely action was not taken, the agitation could spread to more states, creating multiple challenges for NDA-led state governments as well.

Sources said the alliance partners conveyed in clear terms to the Central government that an early decision was necessary in the matter. Considering the seriousness of the situation, the government reportedly concluded that accepting the protesters' demand was the safest course of action.

Notably, Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Union Cabinet on Saturday afternoon. In his resignation letter, Pradhan wrote that he had accepted responsibility for the entire episode from the very first day and had never shied away from his accountability. He said his commitment had always been to ensure that no meritorious student's future was affected because of the examination mafia and that no student suffered injustice. In his letter, he also alleged that certain individuals occupying responsible positions had attempted to mislead students.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar