AIADMK To Boycott CM Stalin's April 9 All-Party Meet On Rejection Of 'NEET Exemption' Bill

The meeting follows the rejection of Tamil Nadu’s Assembly Bill seeking exemption from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) by the President of India.

The NEET entrance exam has long been a highly sensitive issue in Tamil Nadu with widespread opposition due to concerns about social inequality and access to medical education.

Source : Facebook

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has announced it will not participate in the all-party legislature meeting on NEET, scheduled for April 9, called by the ruling DMK government. The meeting follows the rejection of Tamil Nadu Assembly Bill seeking exemption from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) by the President of India.

AIADMK leader and Leader of the Opposition, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, criticised the DMK for politicising the issue. "AIADMK won't attend DMK govt's April 9 legislature party leaders meet on NEET," he said.

Earlier, the ex-CM accused Chief Minister MK Stalin of using the emotionally sensitive issue for political mileage ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

AIADMK won't attend DMK govt's April 9 legislature party leaders meet on NEET: Palaniswami

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 8, 2025

“A Dark Chapter in Federalism”: Stalin

On Friday, CM Stalin informed Tamil Nadu Assembly that the state’s request to exempt students from NEET had been turned down by the Centre, calling it a serious blow to the spirit of federalism. He reiterated the state government’s commitment to continuing its fight against NEET, saying the entrance exam was discriminatory and unjust for rural and underprivileged students.

“This rejection marks a dark chapter in federalism,” Stalin said, while announcing the April 9 meeting with leaders of all legislature parties to discuss the next steps, as per PTI.

NEET: A Contentious Issue In Tamil Nadu

The NEET entrance exam has long been a highly sensitive issue in Tamil Nadu with widespread opposition due to concerns about social inequality and access to medical education. The deaths of several NEET aspirants over the years, including the tragic suicide of S Anita in 2017, have intensified the call for exemption.

While most political parties in the state, including DMK, AIADMK, and others, have opposed NEET, the BJP remains the lone supporter of the exam in Tamil Nadu.