COIMBATORE: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore on Saturday asserted that the party remains committed to securing a permanent exemption from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for the state.
Speaking to reporters at Coimbatore airport, Tagore recalled that the Congress had clearly stated in its 2019 election manifesto that NEET should not be imposed on Tamil Nadu and that states must be allowed to decide. “Whenever Rahul Gandhi becomes Prime Minister, his first signature will be on the order granting Tamil Nadu exemption from NEET,” he declared.
He criticised the AIADMK, noting that NEET was introduced during Edappadi K Palaniswami’s tenure as Chief Minister, during which the first student suicide linked to the exam, that of Anitha, occurred. Tagore said Palaniswami should have insisted on its withdrawal while negotiating an alliance with the BJP before the 2019 elections.
Responding to remarks by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s Jagadeeswari that Vijay would be “today’s CM, tomorrow’s PM,” Tagore dismissed the comment, saying the party was still operating in “fan-club mode.” On questions about the Congress’s prime ministerial candidate, he said such queries be directed to the national leadership, adding that Kerala leader Kunjali Kutty had already clarified the position.
