NEET opposition is Stalin’s political drama: Annamalai

Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai has strongly criticized Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, calling his opposition to NEET a “selfish political drama.”

He also announced that the BJP would not participate in the all-party meeting convened by the state government on the NEET issue.

Annamalai stated that since the introduction of NEET, students from ordinary backgrounds and government schools in Tamil Nadu have gained access to medical education. He accused the DMK of opposing NEET solely to protect the financial interests of private medical colleges run by its party members.

Referring to former DMK minister Arcot Veerasamy, he alleged that even DMK leaders had openly admitted to money playing a role in medical college admissions. “Despite this, CM Stalin continues to stage dramas under the guise of opposing NEET and misleading the public,” Annamalai said.

He questioned why the DMK government had not approached the Supreme Court if it was genuinely against NEET. “Your government has approached the courts for issues like TASMAC corruption and illicit liquor deaths, but in four years, why haven’t you challenged NEET in court?” he asked.

Annamalai dismissed the DMK’s claims that NEET negatively impacts government school students, pointing out that their enrollment in medical colleges has actually increased after NEET was implemented.

“In the pre-NEET era (2007-2016), only about 38 government school students per year managed to enter medical colleges. Why is CM Stalin hiding this fact?” he questioned. He also highlighted that Tamil Nadu students have been performing exceptionally well in NEET, with eight students securing top national ranks in 2024.

The BJP leader noted that Tamil Nadu has witnessed significant growth in medical education, with 14 new government medical colleges established in the last decade, and medical seats doubling during the same period.

“Our students have the capability to excel in any competitive exam, including NEET. The increasing pass percentage every year is proof of this,” Annamalai stated.

Concluding his remarks, Annamalai urged CM Stalin to stop using NEET as a political tool. “Enough of this selfish drama in the name of NEET opposition. Let Tamil Nadu students study in peace,” he said.