Andhra Pradesh CM to order inquiry into SSC paper leak

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said no paper was leaked and what had happened was "just a malpractice".

VIJAYAWADA: The alleged leak of the SSC question paper from Narayana School which belongs to Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana, rocked the AP Legislative Assembly on Thursday, with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Leader of Opposition YS Jaganmohan Reddy trading charges with each other.

Jagan reaffirmed that the question paper was leaked before the commencement of the examination on March 25 and demanded the cancellation of the examination. He also sought an investigation by the CBI. The Chief Minister, on the other hand, said no paper was leaked and what had happened was "just a malpractice".

 However, he was quick to add that the government had already started inquiry into the incident and would punish all those involved in the scheme, but refused to cancel the examination in the interest of students.

Even as the YSRC chief insisted that the management of Narayana Educational Institute was behind the question paper leakage and demanded Narayana and Human Resource Development Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao's dismissal from the cabinet, the Chief Minister asserted that he would not spare anyone found guilty. 

Terming himself a "martinet" (Chanda Sasanudu), Naidu said despite his government having initiated action, the Opposition party was creating a fuss.

Responding to Jagan's claim that YSRC mouthpiece Sakshi had alerted the District Educational Officer by forwarding the photocopy of the leaked question paper through Whatsapp, Naidu said if the person was really a whistleblower, he should come forward and extend cooperation to inquiry officials by disclosing from whom he got the question paper's photocopy.

Naidu also accused Sakshi of staging a sting operation to defame the government.

"`I will order a judicial inquiry and take action against all those involved in the issue, but if found guilty of crarrying out a sting operation, we will initiate action against Sakshi," said Naidu.

He said though there was no need for him to answer the queries raised by Jagan who is facing charges of corruption, he was doing so because it was his responsibility to give reply to the leader of Opposition.