North India Statesman
Lok Janshakti Party (LJP)-Ram Vilas President and Union Minister Chirag Paswan has alleged rigging in the 70th joint preliminary examination of Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). He has demanded the state government to re-examine the candidates. Bihar has a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, whose Chief Minister is Nitish Kumar, and Chirag’s party LJP-R is also a part of the NDA.
Chirag said that he has nothing to do with the methods and statements of Prashant Kishor, but he also agrees on the issue on which he fasted. Chirag asked the Bihar government to ensure that no candidate is treated unfairly in the BPSC exam.
Chirag’s statement on allegations of rigging
While talking to journalists in Delhi on Friday, Chirag Paswan said that every person has a different way of expressing his views. He admitted that he also agreed with the issues raised by Prashant Kishore. Chirag said,
“It is the responsibility of the Bihar government to ensure that no injustice is done to BPSC students. The manner in which the re-examination of some students was conducted is wrong. Taking the exam twice benefits someone. This will be the beginning of a wrong tradition.”
Chirag raised questions on re-examination
Citing the irregularities in the BPSC exam, Chirag said,
“There must have been rigging, because if it was not so then why would there be a re-examination? 22 new centers were created at the center where the re-examination took place. Thus, rigging has taken place at 22 centres. “Children from my own family who have appeared for the exam said that question papers were received late and at many places there were not as many question papers as there were candidates.”
Demand for investigation of paper leak
Chirag Paswan further said,
“It is clearly mentioned in the guidelines that if the paper is leaked during the examination and it comes out on social media or digital platforms first, then the examination should be cancelled. This incident has happened. By the time the exams were going on, the papers were leaked on X account and WhatsApp group. BPSC should take responsibility for this and conduct a high level investigation. Later, action should be taken against whoever is found guilty and all children should be given the opportunity to appear in the examination again.”
Political movements and protests
Many candidates had started the agitation after allegations of rigging in the BPSC examination held on 13 December. Prashant Kishor, Pappu Yadav, Congress and leftist parties have also staged protests and demonstrations on the streets regarding this movement. BPSC has sent notices to many people including Prashant Kishore and coaching teacher Khan Sir on these allegations and warned them to provide proof of the allegations or apologise.
Chirag Paswan raising this issue and demanding re-examination may raise the political temperature in Patna.
