Centre Proposed Changing Pradhan's Portfolio Before His Resignation, Sources Say

The Union government initially proposed shifting Dharmendra Pradhan to another ministry instead of seeking his resignation as Education Minister during negotiations with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), but the offer was rejected by the protest group's representatives, according to sources. The discussions took place as large-scale demonstrations over the alleged examination paper leaks continued in the national capital, with the CJP maintaining that Pradhan's resignation was a non-negotiable demand for ending the agitation.

According to sources, the proposal was conveyed during the first round of talks held on July 20 between Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh and CJP negotiators Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. The meeting reportedly took place at Nadda's residence while police were carrying out action against protesters during the Parliament march organised by the group. Sources said the Centre suggested changing Pradhan's portfolio as a possible compromise to resolve the standoff.

The proposal was reportedly turned down by the CJP leadership, which insisted that only Pradhan's complete exit from the Union Cabinet would satisfy the protesters. Sources further claimed that the party's negotiators believed accepting anything short of a resignation would provoke a strong backlash from demonstrators and weaken the movement's credibility. They therefore maintained that no compromise would be acceptable on their principal demand.

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Sources also stated that Union ministers informed the CJP that appointing, removing or reallocating ministerial portfolios falls solely within the Prime Minister's prerogative. Despite the discussions, the protest group continued to press for Pradhan's resignation, arguing that a portfolio change alone would not address concerns surrounding accountability over the alleged examination paper leaks. The government has not officially commented on the reported details of the negotiations.

Dharmendra Pradhan eventually resigned as Education Minister on Saturday, just hours before the third round of negotiations between the Centre and CJP representatives. Following his resignation, the CJP announced the withdrawal of its protest. The development came after weeks of demonstrations at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and other locations, where protesters had demanded accountability and reforms in the education system.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi had also argued that merely transferring Pradhan to another ministry would not satisfy students or the Opposition, insisting that he should step down from the government. In his resignation letter, Pradhan said he had decided to resign to prevent what he described as anti-national forces from exploiting the agitation, preserve national unity and ensure that students could return their focus to education without becoming entangled in legal or political disputes.

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