NEW DELHI: A Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) leader, Balwan Poonia, has sparked controversy after appearing to downplay the accountability of governments in examination paper leak cases while blaming unemployed youth for purchasing leaked question papers during the Congress government’s tenure. His remarks have resurfaced amid the Opposition’s continued attacks on the Centre over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including demands for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
In Rajasthan, under the previous Congress government, 19 examinations were reportedly leaked. Yet, CPM MLA Balwan Poonia chose to defend the Congress regime and downplay government accountability.
“Ministers not responsible for Paper leaks”
During a televised discussion on examination paper leaks, the journalist questioned the CPM MLA over the repeated leaks that allegedly occurred during the Congress government in Rajasthan.
“Were all 19 out of 19 exams leaked under the Congress government?” the journalist asked.
Responding to the question, the CPM leader argued that holding the education minister solely responsible for paper leaks was misplaced and instead shifted the focus towards those who allegedly purchase leaked examination papers.
He further blamed “flawed policies” and “unemployed youth” for seeking shortcuts, claiming people regularly call him asking if there is a “setting” for REET exams. Instead of holding the Congress government responsible for systemic failures, the CPM leader chose to shield them.
“The Education Minister is not responsible for the paper leak. The unemployed youth (that time) themselves are the ones who buy the papers,” the MLA said.
The statement has drawn attention because it comes at a time when Left leaders, Congress and other Opposition parties have been demanding accountability from the Union government over alleged irregularities in national-level examinations such as NEET, with several of them calling for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
This is the same Opposition ecosystem including Left “JNU comrades” that is now aggressively demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over irregularities in national exams like NEET.
पत्रकार — कॉंग्रेस सरकार मे 19 मेसे 19 पेपर लीक ?
CPM विधायक — पेपर लीक का जिम्मेदार शिक्षा मंत्री नहीं है
बेरोजगार युवा खुद है ,जो पेपर खरीदता है
अब यह खुद और इसके कॉमरेड(JNU) ढपली बजाकर धर्मेन्द्र प्रधान का इस्तीफा मांग रहे है pic.twitter.com/4By4D3odLL
— Nehra Ji (@nehraji778) July 24, 2026
The CPM MLA further elaborated on what he described as a deeper systemic problem behind repeated examination leaks.
REET Paper Leak Controversy Under Ashok Gehlot-Led Congress Government in Rajasthan
Referring to the Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers (REET), the legislator said he regularly receives calls from people asking whether there is a “setting” or arrangement to clear the examination. “My anguish is that of a leader. Whenever the REET exam comes around, people call asking, ‘Baiji, is there a setting?'” he said.
According to the MLA, years of flawed governance have created a culture where many aspirants seek dishonest means to secure government jobs. “The policies are responsible for creating this culture of dishonesty and shortcuts. An unemployed person wants to take every shortcut available,” he said.
The discussion turned sharper when the journalist challenged the CPM leader over what he perceived as selective criticism. Raising allegations of corruption in public appointments, the journalist claimed that people allegedly pay between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 20 lakh to secure appointments as Station House Officers (SHOs).
He then accused the MLA of consistently defending the Congress whenever allegations surfaced against the party. “Whenever the topic of Congress comes up, you defend Congress,” the journalist said. The CPM leader immediately rejected the allegation, responding, “Where am I defending them?”
Call Out the Double Standards:
When Congress ruled Rajasthan, 19 leaks occurred — and CPM leaders defended them by saying ministers aren’t responsible. Today, the same camp protests and demands resignations from a government that is actively investigating and reforming. This selective outrage exposes their politics of convenience. The BJP government under PM Modi remains committed to Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas — ensuring every deserving youth gets a fair chance through honest competition, not shortcuts.
