New Delhi | Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders on Saturday welcomed the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling it a victory for students, youth and democracy following widespread protests over alleged paper leaks.

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said the government should listen to people's voices and hoped steps would be taken to prevent paper leaks.

The resignation was a "big win for democracy" and congratulated the people of the country, Kejriwal said.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said the youth-led movement compelled the government to accept the minister's resignation. He said the campaign that began against paper leaks would now extend to employment, and called for accountability for every mistake.

Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai described the resignation as a major victory for the country's students and youth. "The movement won, arrogance lost," he said, welcoming Pradhan's resignation.

Education Minister Pradhan resigned from his post on Saturday amid mounting pressure to step down over irregularities in the conduct of several competitive exams.

Pradhan said he is disturbed to see the series of events that have unfolded in the last 10 days and sent his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.