“Now that the SSC has been forced to publish a list of ‘ineligible’ candidates, however faulty, let the state government table a resolution in the House naming the 15,000-odd ‘eligible’ teachers and stating they should be allowed to retain their jobs. The crisis that has cropped up on account of an exceptional turn of events in the state should be addressed by rising above political colours. We will support the resolution without a debate, if it is tabled,” Adhikari said.

“If vacancies still persist, the state can then go ahead and fill them by means of an exam conducted through a transparent process,” he added.

The BJP leader also spoke to a section of protesting teachers, demanding an all-party resolution on the matter, outside the Assembly premises. “I understand that it would be difficult for you to start preparing afresh for the exams that you already took nine years ago. That’s why we are trying to solve the crisis along with the government,” Adhikari was heard telling the agitating teachers.

Welcoming the move, the teachers said this could well be the last attempt to save their jobs which were earned on the basis of merit. “If this effort fructifies, it would set an example in the state of rectifying a gross injustice that we have been at the receiving end of,” said Chinmay Mondal, an agitating teacher representing ‘untainted’ candidates.

Led by Adhikari, the BJP MLAs later took out a protest rally within the assembly premises, holding chief minister Mamata Banerjee responsible for the crisis and demanding her resignation.

‘Chakri tumi korechho churi, gadi chharo taratari (you’ve stolen jobs, now vacate your chair at once)’, read posters carried by the opposition MLAs that sported a caricature, presumably that of the chief minister.