Bengaluru, June 22 (IANS) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, and BJP Yuva Morcha National President Tejasvi Surya on Monday alleged that a government event in Bengaluru caused traffic congestion that prevented some students from reaching their NEET re-examination centres on time. The Congress party expressed regret over some students missing their re-exam but hit back by asking who forced students to re-appear for the NEET exam?

Reacting to the criticism, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad said, “There was traffic congestion during the rally. Serious allegations have been made that a few students missed the NEET re-examination due to the traffic situation. If anyone was inconvenienced or faced difficulties, I express my deep regret. However, who is responsible for the NEET question paper leak? Who forced students to repeatedly appear for the NEET examination? Without answering these questions, it is shameful to target a Congress rally.”

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy said students had allegedly been delayed due to traffic disruptions caused by the Congress rally.

“Some students faced difficulties in reaching their NEET re-examination centres because of the traffic congestion caused by the Congress rally. The future of those students has been adversely affected,” he alleged.

Drawing a comparison with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kumaraswamy said public representatives should take precautions to ensure that students and citizens are not inconvenienced during important examinations.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently waited at the airport for nearly 45 minutes before proceeding to his residence to ensure that his movement did not affect students appearing for the NEET examination. Such precautions are expected from public representatives,” he said.

“The Congress leaders should learn from the Prime Minister’s conduct,” Kumaraswamy added.

Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka also criticised the government, alleging that the programme on Palace Road led to severe traffic congestion.

“The government organised a party rally on Palace Road, and the movement of party workers resulted in traffic jams. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after arriving from West Bengal, delayed his own movement because he did not want students appearing for the NEET re-examination to face any inconvenience. Only after receiving information that the examinations had begun did he continue his journey,” Ashoka said.

“This basic sense is missing in the Congress party. The programme could have been postponed by two or three hours. B.K. Hariprasad had already been announced as the KPCC President. Nothing would have changed if the event had been delayed. Was it really necessary to hold the programme at that time?” he questioned.

Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya also attacked the government, saying they should have been aware of the significance of the NEET re-examination.

“The entire country knew that the NEET re-examination was being held. Despite this, the Congress leadership organised a major convention at Palace Grounds, leading to traffic congestion and causing inconvenience to students and the general public. Some students were unable to reach their examination centres on time,” he alleged.

Surya said the incident had caused considerable distress to students and their families.

“The media has shown how parents and students broke down in tears. These students had already been under stress because of the re-examination and had prepared for a long time. The swearing-in of B.K. Hariprasad as KPCC President could have been held a day later. Nothing would have changed,” he said.

Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Surya accused the party of practising “show-off politics” on issues concerning students.

“Rahul Gandhi travels across the country claiming to stand with students. He visited Kota and expressed concern over students’ issues. However, in a state where his own party is in power, the government could not ensure a system that allowed students to reach their examination centres without stress. This exposes the party’s show-off politics,” he alleged.

Reacting to the criticism, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad said the BJP was yet to answer serious questions regarding the re-conduct of the NEET examination.

“The BJP is yet to provide answers. The NEET examination has been postponed multiple times. Question papers have been leaked in both NEET and CBSE examinations. More than 12 students died by suicide last year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan did not utter a word on these issues,” Hariprasad said.

Referring to the traffic congestion reported during the rally, Hariprasad said, “There was traffic congestion during the rally. We organised the programme on a Sunday to minimise its impact on the public. Serious allegations have been made that a few students missed the NEET re-examination due to the traffic situation. If anyone was inconvenienced or faced difficulties, I express my deep regret.”

–IANS

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