As Congress held a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence at the Lok Kalyan Marg, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO)
Jitendra Singh, along with Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, met Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi at the protest site and urged him to end his dharna. Following the talks, Jitendra Singh posted a statement on X, accusing the Congress leader of "shifting goalposts" during negotiations. According to the Centre, Rahul had initially agreed to end his dharna if the government consented to a parliamentary discussion on NEET and related issues. While the government says it accepted this demand, Rahul later added a fresh condition, insisting on the resignation of the Union Education Minister as well. MoS Jitendra Singh said that the government sent him after it came to light that senior Congress leaders had sat down for a protest near Akbar Road to hold talks. "A request was made to Shri Rahul Gandhi to end his sit-in, as this site is not meant for protests, and holding a sit-in here is causing considerable inconvenience to the general public," Jitendra Singh said. Singh said that Rahul Gandhi "put forward the demand that if the government agrees to discuss in Parliament all issues related to NEET and the associated movement, he would immediately end his sit-in." He said, "Within a few moments, after taking permission from the government's top leadership, Rahul Gandhi was assured that his demand has been accepted, and the government is ready to discuss in Parliament all issues related to NEET and the associated movement." Singh said that after the message was conveyed, Gandhi said that he "would not agree to this alone" but also sought "assurance for the resignation" of the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
"He said that now I have two demands: discussion in Parliament and the resignation of the Union Education Minister. When he was reminded that earlier he had only demanded discussion, he said that now my demands have changed," Singh posted.
"When an attempt was made to humbly explain to him that for a senior leader like him to backtrack from his word so quickly does not befit him, he said that it is his prerogative. When the Home Secretary tried to explain that this site is not suitable for a sit-in, his response was that it is also his prerogative to sit wherever he wants," he added.
"For a senior leader like Rahul Gandhi and the Leader of the Opposition to go back on his word is unfortunate and contrary to every norm of democracy," he said.
Notably, earlier sources had told Times Now that the talks between Rahul Gandhi and Jitendra Singh ended without a breakthrough.
Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "Whether it's day or night, we'll remain here. The Prime Minister will have to come out,"
