BJP and Congress Clash Over NEET Exam Traffic Chaos

A political conflict erupted in Bengaluru on June 21, 2026, after a Congress party convention at Palace Grounds coincided with the NEET-UG re-examination. The event, which marked B K Hariprasad's appointment as state president, drew over 100,000 workers and 1,200 buses, leading to severe traffic congestion that allegedly prevented students from reaching examination centers.

Priyank Kharge, the Karnataka Home Minister, dismissed these allegations as manufactured outrage. He stated that while three students missed the exam at the Government Ramnarayan Chellaram College center, the failures were due to individual issues, such as an outdated hall ticket and a missed bus from Magadi, rather than the rally. He noted that the Bengaluru Traffic Police had issued advisories and helplines in advance.

BJP leaders, including MP Tejasvi Surya and State President B. Y. Vijayendra, accused the Congress party of prioritizing political optics over students' futures. Vijayendra contrasted this with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who he claimed waited 45 minutes at a Delhi airport to avoid hindering candidates. The Janata Dal (Secular) also condemned the government's failure to ensure smooth traffic.

In response, Kharge pivoted the blame toward the BJP-led central government, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the NTA chairperson over nationwide paper leaks. He further defended AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge's right to discipline party workers after the president called some workers useless fellows during a program.