No need to scrap NEET; will convince AIADMK: Piyush Goyal

Senior BJP leader Piyush Goyal Friday said there is no need to scrap NEET for medical admissions and his party would convince its ally, AIADMK, which has sought temporary exemption for Tamil Nadu students from the test.

"I do not think NEET should be scrapped. We will talk to AIADMK and convince them," he told reporters here.

He was responding to a query on AIADMK manifesto pitching for temporary exemption for Tamil Nadu students from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

Pointing out that AIADMK had requested that NEET should be held in Tamil language, he said it was accepted by the Centre and being implemented.

Flaying Congress President Rahul Gandhi over his party's promise to replace NEET, he alleged the party wanted to re-introduce the old system, under which managements of medical colleges can demand capitation fee and offer seats to the rich.

".. the people of Tamil Nadu want medical seats to be offered on the basis of merit.. poor children should also get an opportunity to pursue medical education," Goyal said.

Alleging that Congress wanted to remove NEET so that the poor do not take up medical education, he said, "They are working for capitalists.. so that the rich get admission..."