A war of words broke out between the ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP over students allegedly missing the NEET re-examination at RC College due to traffic snarls around Palace Grounds, where the installation ceremony of B.K. Hariprasad as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, was held. While Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya alleged that several students had missed the re-examination, the Congress refuted the claim. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok also blamed the Congress event for the traffic congestion, saying it had caused anxiety among NEET candidates and their parents.

‘Silence on leak’

Calling Mr. Surya a “serial misinformation provider MP”, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said, “Of the 720 students who were to appear at RC College, 142 remained absent. Three students could not appear for the examination. One female student travelling from Magadi could not get a bus on time and reached the venue late, while another had brought an admission ticket issued for the examination held on May 3. One student travelling from R.T. Nagar could not write the examination, and the reason for that is being investigated.”

Referring to advisories issued by the police in advance, he said, “The BJP MP, who is expressing concern over students missing the examination, remained silent when 22 lakh students were affected by the NEET question paper leak and its misuse.”

Acknowledging that there was traffic congestion on Sunday, B.K. Hariprasad expressed regret if two or three students were unable to write the examination due to traffic-related issues. “Our team will meet the students who missed the examination. We are ready to bear the losses,” he said.

He said all buses carrying participants to the event had arrived by 10.30 a.m. and, to avoid inconvenience, parking had been arranged within the venue premises.

“About 1,400 students remained absent in Mysuru and 286 in Yadgir. Students also did not appear for the examination in Dakshina Kannada and other districts. What events were taking place there? Who will answer to the lakhs of students affected by the NEET question paper leak and the suicides linked to it? The BJP is pointing fingers at the Congress to cover up its own mistakes,” Mr. Hariprasad said.