"Their ability to fill accounts seems to be their accountability": Akhilesh Yadav slams Centre over NEET paper leak

Speaking to reporters from the Parliament premises, the Samajwadi chief said that the party was closely watching the functioning of both the Uttar Pradesh government and the Centre.

"We are from Uttar Pradesh. We are watching the UP government function, and we can also see the Indian government. Whose accountability is it? The government had accountability. It seems their ability is limited to filling the accounts and we are observing this very closely in Uttar Pradesh. What is accountability? Their ability to fill the accounts seems to be their accountability," Yadav said.

Reacting to PM Modi's post on setting up fast-track courts, Samajwadi Party MP Pushpendra Saroj said the Prime Minister should focus on policy-level changes to prevent paper leaks and ensure timely examinations.

Saroj added, "The importance of the youth's future to the Prime Minister is evident from the way tear gas is being used against them, and lathi charges are being carried out... As for the fast-track court, it's a matter of action after the response. The fast-track court won't work. What do they want to discuss with the NTA and NP policies? What changes do they want to bring about so that the paper is not leaked, the paper can be conducted in a timely manner, the paper is not leaked, and the lives of the children are not ruined? What response do you want to give to that, Prime Minister?.. The PM should speak about the changes that he will be making at the policy level."

Meanwhile, a direct face-off broke out between NDA and INDIA bloc MPs inside the Parliament premises on Thursday, as both sides staged simultaneous demonstrations over separate issues at Makar Dwar.

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, party MPs Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and others join the INDIA bloc protest at Makar Dwar inside the Parliament premises. NDA MPs are also counter-protesting in front of the INDIA alliance MPs.

Reacting to PM Modi's tweet on setting up fast-track courts to ensure stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks, Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said, "A fast-track court won't achieve anything. First, deliver punishment to the higher-ups responsible as demanded. That (fast-track court) will be a secondary process, as they will have bail."

Amid intensifying protests against the Centre over the NEET paper leak issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday emphasised the importance of the youth's future, announcing that fast-track courts will be set up to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks.

In a post on X, PM Modi stated that those involved in compromising the future of the youth "will not be spared," adding that relevant authorities have been directed to take all necessary measures. (ANI)