Will Modi Govt Replace Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan?

There is tremendous pressure on the Modi government to replace Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan because of the NEET controversy which has eroded public confidence in BJP’s governance style. India’s major political parties and Odisha Opposition leader Naveen Patnaik of BJD are mounting pressure on PM Modi to sack Dharmendra Pradhan considered to be one most trusted election strategist. Congress leader and LoP Rahul Gandhi is already targeting PM Modi for the crises. Dharmendra Pradhan and his family are also facing the flak on social media. It’s learnt that Pradhan’s daughter has already shut off her Instagram account amidst online backlash. As of now the message that is coming out of BJP’s camp is that Pradhan may not be replaced. Instead, it will fix the failed educational system. Pradhan’s role far exceeds that of an education minister. He has proved his mettle in Odisha, Bihar, Haryana, UP and other states elections. It was largely because of Pradhan that BJP ended 24-year rule of BJD in Odisha. This apart, he is considered to be close to both PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Political observers say “Pradhan remains untouchable as he is the tallest OBC leader who could well become the next chief minister of Odisha.”