Nationalist Congress Party leaders Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule joined the Cockroach Janata Party protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Tuesday [1].

The arrival of high-profile opposition figures signals a broadening political coalition against the current administration's handling of national education standards. By backing the demand for a minister's resignation, the NCP is aligning itself with a growing movement of students and activists.

The leaders arrived July 21, 2026 [2], to support the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in its call for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to step down. The demand stems from allegations surrounding a paper leak of the National Eligibility Entrance Test (Undergraduate), commonly known as NEET UG [1].

This protest is part of a sustained campaign that began June 20, 2026 [3]. The movement has drawn various opposition figures and community leaders to the capital, highlighting broader concerns over education policy and the integrity of national competitive examinations.

Other participants in the sit-in have expressed frustration with the government's response to the crisis. Sonam Wangchuk, who has been involved in the protests, said, "Being forced to sit here in heat, wish govt had shown sensitivity" [4].

The presence of Pawar and Sule at Jantar Mantar adds significant political weight to the CJP's platform. Their participation suggests that the NEET UG controversy has moved beyond a student grievance to become a central point of contention for opposition parties seeking to challenge the government's competence in managing public services.

“NCP leaders demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following NEET UG paper leak allegations.”

The alignment of the NCP with the CJP protest indicates a strategic effort by opposition leaders to capitalize on public anger over education system failures. By focusing on the NEET UG leak, these politicians are attempting to frame the government as incapable of ensuring meritocracy and transparency in the country's most critical academic gateways.