JD(S) Attacks Congress Over Bengaluru Traffic Snarls Amid NEET Re-Exam, Says Party Event Added To Chaos

Last Updated:June 22, 2026, 08:46 IST

JD(S) accused the Karnataka government of allowing a Congress event that allegedly worsened Bengaluru traffic and affected NEET aspirants travelling to exam centres.

The Janata Dal (Secular) on Sunday accused the Karnataka government of failing to ensure smooth traffic management during the NEET-UG re-examination, alleging that a Congress mega convention in Bengaluru contributed to traffic congestion that affected students travelling to examination centres.

The controversy erupted after the re-examination for NEET-UG was conducted across the country amid heightened security arrangements.

In Karnataka, the opposition JD(S) claimed that the swearing-in ceremony of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president BK Hariprasad at Bengaluru’s Palace Grounds coincided with the examination, leading to severe traffic disruptions in parts of the city.

In a post on X, the JD(S) alleged that the Congress event had “thrown a wrench into the future of innocent students" who had spent a year preparing for one of the country’s most competitive entrance examinations.

The party claimed that some candidates were unable to write the examination after getting stuck in traffic and reaching their centres minutes after the entry deadline had passed.

Questioning who should be held accountable for the situation, the JD(S) sought to link the alleged inconvenience faced by students to the political gathering and the traffic arrangements made by authorities.

The party also criticised the Home Department and the police for permitting a large political event on the same day as a nationally significant examination.

It described the decision as an act of negligence and irresponsibility and accused the Congress government of prioritising political programmes over the interests of students and their families.

The Congress convention, where Hariprasad formally assumed charge as the state party president, was attended by senior party leaders and hundreds of workers.

The allegations were echoed by Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra, who accused the Congress government of putting political considerations ahead of students’ interests.

In a post on X, he said thousands of students were appearing for NEET and that the examination schedule was publicly known.

He further alleged that Congress leaders had attempted to politicise issues related to students and examinations but failed to show sensitivity when students needed support.

Vijayendra also claimed that traffic congestion caused by the political programme resulted in some students missing their examination.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya also targeted the ruling Congress government, alleging that the party could have selected another date for the rally instead of holding it on the day of the NEET examination.

He claimed that heavy traffic disruptions caused delays for students and said some reached examination centres in panic.

Responding to the criticism, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge rejected the allegations and accused BJP leaders of spreading misinformation.

Referring to one of the BJP leaders as a “serial misinformation MP", Kharge said facts did not support the claims being made.

According to the minister, a total of 720 students had been allotted RC College as their NEET examination centre, and 142 candidates were absent.

He said three students missed the examination but added that only one of them was travelling from the RT Nagar side, and the exact reason for the delay was still being ascertained.

Kharge said one student travelling from Magadi failed to get a bus on time and arrived late, while another candidate arrived with an old hall ticket from the earlier examination conducted on May 3 and therefore was not allowed to write the test.

“The Bengaluru Traffic Police had issued public notifications and traffic advisories well in advance," Kharge said, defending the arrangements made by authorities.

The NEET-UG re-examination was conducted on Sunday across the country.

More than 22.79 lakh candidates are expected to appear for the examination at 5,440 centres across 551 cities in India and 14 centres abroad.

Security arrangements were tightened across Karnataka, with police personnel deployed at examination centres to ensure the smooth conduct of the test.

Many students and parents expressed anxiety over appearing for the examination again after more than a month of uncertainty, with some candidates saying the enthusiasm associated with taking the test for the first time had faded amid concerns about potential disruptions.

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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