Row over ANM exam cancellation; Opposition alleges 18 recruitment exams scrapped in 18 months, Odisha govt hits back

The indefinite postponement of Odisha’s ANM second-year annual examination after a question paper leak on Friday has triggered sharp political exchanges.

Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik accused the BJP government of repeatedly ‘shattering the dreams’ of aspirants, while the ruling party said that the move was necessary to ensure transparent examinations.

Naveen Patnaik Says ‘Future Pushed Into Darkness’

Reacting on X, Naveen Patnaik alleged that cancelling the ANM exam had once again pushed thousands of aspirants’ futures into darkness. He questioned, “How many more children’s dreams will be shattered, how many more futures will be toyed with?”

Referring to recent cancellations, he said, “In 18 months of government, around 18 recruitment exams have been cancelled.”

In his post, he urged the administration to “wake up and ensure that all exams are conducted regularly and with transparency.”

BJD Says Frequency Of Leaks Has Risen

BJD legislator Debi Ranjan Tripathy said earlier paper-leak incidents were “rare” in Odisha and claimed that in the last 24 months, things have changed and that 18 exams in 18 months were “compromised.”

Tripathy added that previous examinations were conducted “smoothly” and that “only the eligible candidates were selected.”

He said, “The current CM had said that those who are involved in malpractice will be jailed. But, we see that for every exam conducted in these 18 months, the question papers have been leaked.”

ALSO READ: Odisha job delays due to BJD’s ‘outsourcing’: Law Min responds to opposition’s recruitment allegations

Congress Calls Government ‘Incompetent’

Congress MLA Pabitra Sahu said repeated cancellations showed that this government keeps on proving that it is incompetent.

He stated that candidates and parents were being “repeatedly disappointed,” adding, “18 government exams have been cancelled in 18 months. This alone shows the incompetence of this government.”

BJP Says Move Is To Ensure Clean Exams

Responding, BJP MLA Ashwini Sarangi said the Odisha government aims to conduct examinations in a “free and fair manner.” He alleged that irregularities also occurred previously and remarked, “Naveen Babu wants all exams should be conducted in the same compromised manner as they were held during his time.”

Sarangi added that “only the deserving candidates will be allowed to appear for the exam as they are our future,” and claimed that the former Chief Minister was “afraid of the future of his party.”

ALSO READ: Large-scale resignations hit BJD in Bhadrak; senior leader Prafulla Samal’s sons among those set to join BJP today

Exam Postponed After Question Paper Leak

Serious irregularities surfaced on Friday when the Midwifery subject question paper, scheduled for the 2 PM afternoon session, was reportedly circulating on social media around 11 am.

The authorities postponed the examination indefinitely after confirming the leak. Hundreds of candidates had already reached examination centres. Officials have not announced a revised date, and an inquiry is underway to trace the source of the leak.