The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday dismissed reports claiming that the Centre had offered former Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan another Cabinet portfolio after his resignation, describing
the speculation as “fictional” and “unfounded”.
Addressing reporters, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said there was no truth to media reports suggesting that Pradhan had been offered a different ministry as part of negotiations following his exit from the Union Cabinet.
“There is no basis to these reports. They are completely fictional and unfounded,” Patra said, rejecting speculation over any portfolio change.
The clarification comes days after Pradhan resigned as education minister, with the President accepting his resignation on the advice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union minister Pralhad Joshi has since been given additional charge of the Education Ministry.
Reports had claimed that Pradhan was initially offered another portfolio after stepping down but had declined the proposal. The BJP has now categorically denied those claims, insisting no such offer was made.
Pradhan’s resignation followed weeks of nationwide protests over NEET paper leak and lapses in the education system. Led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the protests saw a massive turnout in the national capital which soon spread to other parts of the country.
While the BJP has maintained that the government’s focus remains on education reforms and restoring the integrity of public examinations, the party has urged against what it termed “baseless speculation” surrounding Cabinet deliberations.
