BJP collecting signatures demanding NEP reintroduction: C.T. Ravi

BJP collecting signatures demanding NEP reintroduction: C.T. Ravi

Udupi: BJP leader C.T. Ravi on Saturday, November 18, said the party had launched a signature campaign from November 15 to 30 to collect at least one crore signatures from parents and students demanding the reintroduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) that was scrapped by the Congress government in the State.

Addressing the press meeting at the District BJP office Udupi C T Ravi said that at a time when the government had constituted a committee to draft the State Education Policy, the campaign would urge the government to reconsider the decision. He said while the NEP was introduced nationwide, having a separate policy at the State level would severely affect the education sector in Karnataka. He alleged that the Congress, which had supported the NEP earlier, was indulging in politics over education by opposing the same now.

Ravi said the education field should not be used to indulge in politicking as it is the medium of nation-building. Education should empower the young to face future challenges and formulate national and social senses. The Atmanirbhar Bharat would not come into existence without there being an independent and self-sustained young generation, he claimed. The Congress may point out shortcomings or lacunae in the NEP which could be rectified; however, opposing the policy per se was not good, he said.

Alleging that the present education was the cause for unemployment, Ravi mused whether equipping the young generation with skills was an offence. Educational institutions run by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Home Minister G. Parameshwara and Industries Minister M.B. Patil follow the NEP, he said and wondered why the poor children studying in government schools should be deprived of the benefits of the policy.

Speaking about the appointment of B.Y. Vijayendra as the State president of the party was done as per the procedure as the BJP’s parliamentary board involving national president J.P. Nadda made the selection.

Whether BJP leaders, who used to term the JD(S) as the party of father and sons and flayed the Congress for engaging in dynasty politics, had sought any special concession to accept Vijayendra, son of the former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, as the State president. There is nothing more I have got to share with media persons in this regard, he said.

He would not be able to talk more on the subject as he was a disciplined party worker. Media has all the rights to engage in assessing the development as it is independent of political parties. But he has to stop at one point, he added.

The BJP, Ravi said, would win local and Lok Sabha elections under the leadership of Mr Vijayendra and the newly appointed Leader of the Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly, R. Ashok. Asked whether he was keen on contesting the Lok Sabha elections, Mr Ravi said he did not demand any position since 1994 and was not an aspirant this time too. He would work hard for the victory of candidates chosen by the party.

Responding to another question as to whether he had aspired to become State president of the BJP, Ravi said he had said three months back that he was not an aspirant. The BJP would work as a team under the leadership of Vijayendra and no more debate on the issue was needed.

Kaup MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty, district BJP president Kuyiladi Suresh Nayak, Raghavendra Kini, Shivakumar Ambalapadi, Srinidhi Hegde and others were present.