Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today dismissed Congress' demand for sacking of School Education Minister Kedar Kashyap, a day after a dummy candidate allegedly appeared for a university examination in place of his wife.
"The minister did not appear for the exam hence he cannot be sacked. He (Kedar Kashyap) was not the one who sat for the exam," Singh told reporters responding to a query on the government's stand on Congress' demand for sacking of Kashyap over the episode.
The CM was addressing media persons on the sidelines of a programme in Champaran village.
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A dummy candidate had yesterday appeared in place of Kashyap's wife, Shanti Kashyap for MA (English) final exam conducted by Pt Sunderlal Sharma Open University, held in Bastar district's Lohandiguda region.
Following the incident, a two-member committee was constituted by the university to probe the incident.
Singh said action will be taken under the rules against those found guilty in this connection.
"As the incident came to light, I spoke to VC of the university and he informed me that a probe committee has been formed and it will submit its report on Thursday.
"Everything will be clear once the committee would submit its report based on which the university and the government will taken action," he added.
The CM's response evoked a strong reaction from Congress, with its leaders accusing him of attempting to defend the minister.
"The statement of the CM that Kashyap himself did not seat for the exam is very irresponsible. The CM could not wash hands off from the controversy by pleading ignorance about the deeds of Shanti Kashyap," said Congress state general secretary Shailesh Nitin Trivedi.
He said such a "major forgery" was not possible cwithout the involvement of Kashyap.
"Kashayp has lost the moral right to remain in position hence he should resign or be sacked," Trivedi said.
Meanwhile, a large number of Youth Congress and NSUI workers protested in front of Kashyap's house in Raipur and Jagdalpur demanding his dismissal over the row.
