Opposition slams Rs 3 fuel price hike; says move will worsen inflation, economic distress
Congress said the fuel crisis was caused by government failures and incompetence, with ordinary citizens bearing the brunt of the economic distress. NEW DELHI: Several opposition parties, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress and CPI(M), on Friday attacked the government over the increase in petrol and diesel prices, saying the decision would aggravate inflation and hurt economic growth. Leading the opposition criticism, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the public was paying for the Modi government’s “mistakes”, adding: “The Rs 3 shock has already arrived, the remaining recovery will be extracted in installments.” Party President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Centre of pushing the country into an economic crisis because of a “leadership crisis, lack of vision and incompetence”. Kharge said the crisis was created by the government and ordinary citizens were suffering its consequences. He alleged that apart from the global fuel crisis, the Modi government’s failures and widespread incompetence were major reasons behind India’s economic troubles. In a statement, the CPM Politburo condemned the fuel price increase, saying it would place an additional burden on people already struggling with inflation, unemployment, stagnant wages and worsening economic distress. The party demanded an immediate rollback and asked its units to organise protests against the hike. CPI General Secretary D Raja said the crisis stemmed from PM Narendra Modi’s “disastrous foreign policy” and alleged that the government was functioning like a recovery agency for crony capitalists and foreign interests. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the bicycle, his party’s election symbol, remained the only alternative. The Trinamool Congress accused the Centre of deceiving citizens after the elections and deepening the economic crisis. Addressing a press conference, TMC leader Sagarika Ghose said, “After looting votes, you are now looting the purse of citizens”. Preetha Nair Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
KC Venugopal will remain in the game with ‘powerplay’, say his supporters
There is palpable discontent within the Venugopal camp over the manner in which he was, according to his supporters, “disgracefully” elbowed out by the Congress high command. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Till Thursday, for some, Congress organisational general secretary K C Venugopal was the ‘kingmaker’. A powerful ‘Goliath’. But all that changed as the political landscape around him shifted dramatically in a matter of hours. Within party circles, the mighty Goliath appeared to fall before ‘David’ — V D Satheesan. And, with the tables now turned, the question being asked is: What next for the once-invincible and trusted lieutenant of Rahul Gandhi? Venugopal’s name was among the first to emerge for the post of chief minister after the UDF’s sweeping victory in Kerala. His political rise — from KSU state president in 1988, Youth Congress state president, MLA, MP, state minister, Union minister, and finally to the Congress’s second most powerful organisational post — had long been regarded as enviable. Consequently, he has as many detractors as admirers, with many now privately rejoicing his fall. Meanwhile, there is palpable discontent within the Venugopal camp over the manner in which he was, according to his supporters, “disgracefully” elbowed out by the Congress high command. “The high command should have asked him to stay away from the race if it had decided that Satheesan would be the chief minister,” said an associate of Venugopal. “Venugopal has played the role of kingmaker in several states while selecting chief ministers. However, in his own state, he could not even announce the next chief minister. The high command could have avoided such a humiliation.” Notably, it was Venugopal who played a major role in making Satheesan the leader of the opposition in 2021, even though Ramesh Chennithala enjoyed majority support in the Congress legislative party at that time. Subsequently, however, the Venugopal camp got rattled as Satheesan began asserting control over the organisation. As a counter, Venugopal first tightened his grip over the Youth Congress by appointing loyalists. Then, during the KPCC reorganisation, his faction secured near-complete control over the organisation. This was reflected in the distribution of Assembly election tickets, helping him secure the support of more than 40 MLAs for his chief ministerial ambitions. Meanwhile, the Venugopal camp dismissed murmurs that the Satheesan faction had begun influencing these MLAs. Leaders close to Venugopal indicated that, as long as he enjoys the trust of Rahul and remains the AICC organisational general secretary, he would continue to play a major role in the state Congress in the coming days. “In politics, power dictates everything. A Congress chief minister cannot move forward without relying on the AICC leadership. That dependence begins with cabinet formation,” said a veteran Congress leader. K S Sreejith Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kerala CM selection: Priyanka Gandhi’s role, senior leaders’ backing turned tide in favour of VD Satheesan
Sources said Priyanka’s influence was critical, pushing for consideration of public sentiment and grassroots opinion when making the decision. NEW DELHI: A decisive role played by Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi and the strong backing of senior Congress leaders from Kerala worked in favour of V D Satheesan to edge out K C Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala in the final rounds of consultations to choose the chief minister pick for Kerala, said party sources. While Congress ended 10 days of political uncertainty by naming Satheesan as the CM, the path to the decision-making was anything but smooth. The high-stakes battle for the CM post saw marathon meetings, swirling speculation, last-minute changes, and intense back-channel negotiations. A key factor favouring Satheesan was the risk of potential by-elections if Venugopal were chosen. The UDF would have faced two polls — Venugopal’s assembly seat and the Alappuzha Lok Sabha seat — under politically challenging conditions, senior leaders had warned. Sources said Priyanka’s influence was critical, pushing for consideration of public sentiment and grassroots opinion when making the decision. The leadership was also mindful of the firm support Satheesan enjoyed from the Indian Union Muslim League, the UDF’s key ally. Sources said Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka held at least three rounds of discussions, anticipating potential setbacks in the 2029 general election. The internal divisions even spilled onto the streets. Early this week, posters appeared outside district Congress offices and Priyanka’s Wayanad office, warning Rahul against choosing Venugopal. “Mr Rahul, KC might be your bag bearer, but the people of Kerala will never forgive you,” read one of the posters. The final push for Satheesan came after Rahul’s one-on-one consultations with senior leaders, including former KPCC presidents K Muraleedharan and V M Sudheeran, and veteran leader A K Antony. They stressed that public sentiment, as reflected in widespread protests across the state, should be a decisive factor in selecting the new chief minister. It is learnt that Sudheeran briefed Rahul on Satheesan’s support across all sections of society. The reports from AICC observers had suggested Venugopal enjoyed strong backing, with at least 46 of 63 Congress MLAs in his favour. Insiders say that Chennithala, despite his experience and seniority, was never seriously considered even as a compromise candidate. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Compromised PM bargained for Adani’s release’: Rahul slams Modi after US drops charges against Billionaire
His remarks came after reports that US authorities agreed to drop charges against the businessman in an alleged bribery scheme. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the recent India-US trade talks was aimed at securing relief for billionaire Gautam Adani rather than strengthening trade ties. His remarks came after reports that US authorities agreed to drop charges against the businessman in an alleged bribery scheme. The Congress earlier said it was now clear why the prime minister agreed to what it called a “hopelessly one-sided” India-US trade deal and abruptly halted Operation Sindoor. In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, “It is now clear why the PM agreed to the hopelessly one-sided Indo-US trade ‘deal’ that was really a steal by the US. And it is also clear why he abruptly halted Operation Sindoor on May 10 2025, acting on President Trump’s threats rather than on our national interest.” “Reportedly, the Trump Administration is about to drop all charges of corruption against Modani,” he wrote on X. How much more “compromised” can the PM get, Ramesh asked. The US government on Friday agreed to settle a lawsuit filed against Billionaire Gautam Adani and his nephew after they agreed to pay civil penalties of $6 million while his nephew agreed to pay $12 million. In the lawsuit filed in late 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission accused Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani, both leaders of the energy company Adani Green Energy Limited of promising to pay Indian government officials the equivalent of hundreds of millions of dollars in exchange for government contracts to purchase energy at inflated rates. At the same time, the company secured several billions of dollars from Wall Street investors who were allegedly assured that the company had a robust anti-bribery compliance program and were given promises from senior management that no bribery would take place. Those actions, the SEC said at the time, violated antifraud provisions of US securities laws. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Allahabad HC seeks replies from CBI, ED, SFIO on plea alleging disproportionate assets against Rahul Gandhi
Court directs central agencies to respond within eight weeks; matter filed by BJP worker to be heard next on July 20. The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court sought responses from multiple central agencies including the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the allegations of disproportionate assets against Congress MP from Raebareli and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. The court directed both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), along with other departments concerned, to file their replies verifying the allegations levelled against Gandhi within eight weeks in a complaint submitted by Karnataka BJP worker S Vignesh Shishir. The court posted the matter for next hearing on July 20. The division bench, comprising Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Justice Zafeer Ahmad, passed the order on Tuesday on a criminal writ petition moved by Shishir. During the in-Chamber hearing, counsel for the CBI informed the Court that the agency had received the petitioner’s complaint and would file a response within 8 weeks. Similarly, the counsel for the ED also informed the Bench that the ED had received the complaint and may verify the allegations. Thereafter, the progress, thereof, might be apprised to the Court. In Its four-page order, the bench observed that it was expected that if the complaint of the petitioner was received, the allegations of the complaint may be verified as per the law. “It is needless to say that the CBI or ED may take appropriate steps which are permissible under the law”, said the court. After hearing the parties and perusing the material on record, the Court directed all parties (including the newly-impleaded opposite parties) to file a response within eight weeks. The petitioner, appearing in person, also filed an application for impleadment vis-à-vis the Union of India through its Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT); the Union of India through its Secretary, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance; and the Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The petitioner apprised the Court that those departments were necessary parties and showed the reasons as to why they should be impleaded. Finding it proper, the Court allowed the impleadment application. Additionally, the Central Government Counsel informed the Court that he received oral instructions from the Director, Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). He requested some time to file a counter-affidavit regarding the contents of the writ petition, which relate to it. During the hearing, when petitioner Shishir was queried about the maintainability of the prayers in the petition, he referred to certain case laws and judgments to submit that he may seek those reliefs by filing a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. The petitioner has alleged that Rahul Gandhi and members of his family possessed assets disproportionate to their declared income. The plea has sought an impartial investigation by central agencies into the allegations. The bench said that his submission would be tested after receiving the counter-affidavits of the respective parties and the rejoinder affidavits thereof. Furthermore, the Court ordered that the paper-book and the loose documents provided by the petitioner be kept in a sealed cover in terms of the earlier order. During the upcoming hearing, the court would first examine the maintainability of the petition — determining whether the plea is legally fit for detailed consideration. Further legal proceedings will depend on the outcome of that assessment Namita Bajpai Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Congress says BJP raising Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trips to divert attention from Modi’s failures
Ramesh also called Modi a “compromised PM” who is “thoroughly exposed domestically and internationally.” The Congress on Thursday accused the BJP of using allegations over Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trips to divert attention from what it described as the country’s worsening economic situation and foreign policy challenges under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh, said that BJP’s Sambit Patra raised the matter of Gandhi’s foreign trips to stake his claim on ministership. Patra should find better topics to raise, Ramesh suggested. The BJP on Thursday demanded the disclosure of sources of funding of Gandhi’s foreign trips, claiming that there was a clear mismatch between the year-on-year annual income of the Congress leader and the money spent on his travel abroad. Hitting back, Ramesh said, “These are all diversions being created by Mr Sambit Patra of the BJP. The real issue is the economic collapse that is staring the country. The real issues are the setbacks in foreign policy. Those are the real issues.” Ramesh also called Modi a “compromised PM” who is “thoroughly exposed domestically and internationally.” “His claims about being a ‘Vishwaguru’ have been completely punctured. He is capitulating to China day in and day out. So all being done to keep the attention away from here. To talk about Mr Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trips in the past, Mr Patra should find better topics on which to put his stake of being a minister,” Ramesh said when asked about the BJP’s charges. Another Congress leader, Manickam Tagore, said the country wants answers on jobs, farmers, Manipur and China. “BJP should first answer questions on unemployment, inflation, falling consumption, border failures and the weakening economy instead of running a daily smear campaign against Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi ji. “If foreign travel is suddenly a crime, then will BJP also disclose the full details of PM Modi’s and all the BJP leaders’ foreign visits, delegations, aircraft expenses and event management costs over the last 10 years?” Tagore asked in a post on X. He alleged that Patra’s press conferences have become a “distraction toolkit” whenever the government faces tough questions. “Personal attacks cannot hide policy failures. The country wants answers on jobs, farmers, Manipur, China and the economy – not manufactured outrage,” he said. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Patra, a party national spokesperson, said Gandhi went on 54 foreign trips in the last 22 years, on which a cumulative expenditure of Rs 60 crore was incurred. However, he claimed, his year-on-year annual income, as disclosed in his poll affidavits in the last 10 years, remained about Rs 11 crore altogether. According to the asset and liability declaration made by Gandhi in poll affidavits, his total disclosed assets stood at Rs 55.38 lakh in 2004 and Rs 20.39 crore in 2024, the BJP MP claimed. “While Rs 60 crore was spent on these foreign trips, it’s not fitting anywhere when his entire asset and liability stands at Rs 21 crore,” Patra said, and demanded a disclosure. The Lok Sabha MP from Puri in Odisha also alleged that the Congress leader did not disclose many of his visits abroad and demanded answers from him on these “mystery trips.” Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Tumakuru rally likely to be transition point for Siddaramaiah govt amid leadership talk
Political analysts said that the event can be interpreted as a farewell to some ministers as Siddaramaiah is planning to visit Delhi soon to seek the approval of the party high command. BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government’s big ticket rally on May 20, marking the completion of three years in office in Tumakuru is likely to be a transition point. The rally will be a shot in the arm for the Siddaramaiah camp, lobbying for his continuation as CM and expecting a reshuffle of the cabinet. The achievements of the government will be on full display, which is an attempt at image makeover to nullify any anti-incumbency. It has been happening after the Congress retained Davanagere South and Bagalkot assembly seats in the bypolls. With the rally organised in his home district, Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara, who is with the Siddaramaiah camp and is pitching for the the chief minister’s post under the Dalit quota, will score over Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who has kept his hopes up on becoming CM as per a power sharing agreement arrived at soon after the party came to power in 2023. Parameshwara is ensuring that over two lakh people attend the rally in his own show of strength, though it is an official programme. Political analysts said that the event can be interpreted as a farewell to some ministers as Siddaramaiah is planning to visit Delhi soon to seek the approval of the party high command, especially Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, for a cabinet reshuffle after the Kerala chief minister issue is settled. During the rally, around 1.52 lakh beneficiaries will be presented with title deeds for their lands and houses under different schemes. When the government completed two years in office in 2025, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda had organised a similar event in Haveri. Gowda also claimed that several cases pending in the courts of tahsildars and the sub-divisional Officers have been disposed of. “For example, in May 2020, there were 10,774 expired cases pending in tahsildar courts in the state. By April 2026, these had been reduced to just Similarly, there were 73,624 expired cases pending in the courts of the sub-divisional officers. A majority of the cases have been disposed of, and only 7,721 cases are pending. This means 99.9% of pending cases in tahsildar’s courts have been disposed of,” he said. He also mentioned digitisation initiatives such as e-pauti, ‘podi’, to recognise hamlets as revenue villages. During the rally, title deeds will be issued to 2.2 lakh households. Devaraj B Hirehalli Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘People will not forgive’: Posters in Wayanad tear into Rahul, Priyanka
The posters stated that Wayanad had stood with Rahul Gandhi and later Priyanka Gandhi after setbacks in Amethi, but the constituency should not be viewed merely as a politically convenient seat. KALPETTA: As discussions over the chief minister’s post continue within the Congress, posters targeting Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi surfaced in different parts of Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, triggering political controversy. The posters carried sharp criticism against the Gandhi family and senior Congress leader K C Venugopal. One of the messages read: “KC may carry your bag, but the people of Kerala will not forgive you.” Another warned leaders against treating Wayanad as merely a “safe seat” for electoral victories. Posters appeared near the MP office at Karassery in Kozhikode, which falls under the Wayanad constituency, and along roads leading to the DCC office in Wayanad district. Soon after news of the posters spread, many of them were removed. The posters stated that Wayanad had stood with Rahul Gandhi and later Priyanka Gandhi after setbacks in Amethi, but the constituency should not be viewed merely as a politically convenient seat. Slogans such as “No more climbing the Wayanad pass for a safe seat” and “Forget Wayanad” were also displayed. The controversy comes amid growing resentment among Congress and Muslim League workers over the support extended by three Congress MLAs from Wayanad to K C Venugopal during the ongoing leadership discussions. The disagreement has also spilled onto social media platforms in recent days. The posters further warned that ignoring public sentiment would have “serious consequences” and claimed that “Wayanad too could become another Amethi.” It remains unclear who was behind the posters. Courtesy : The New Indian Express Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
VD Satheesan to be Kerala’s next Chief Minister; celebrations erupt across the state
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, KC Venugopal said he will provide all support to the CM and the UDF government in Kerala. Ending days of suspense and intense internal negotiations, the Congress on Tuesday officially named senior leader VD Satheesan as the next Chief Minister of Kerala. The announcement was made by AICC state in-charge Deepa Das Munshi in the capital, along with AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh, observers Mukul Wasnik and Ajay Maken, among others. “The Congress Legislature Party had met in Thiruvananthapuram on May 7, 2026, and had unanimously resolved to authorise the Congress President to appoint the new leader of the CLP in the state of Kerala. Accordingly, the Congress President held extensive discussions with the Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the AICC observers who met the newly elected MLAs on May 7, 2026, and many other leaders from the state, including MPs and former KPCC presidents. Based on all these discussions, it has been decided that VD Satheesan be appointed as the leader of the CLP,” said Das Munshi. The decision came after a nine-day deadlock involving a fierce three-way contest among senior leaders VD Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and AICC General Secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal. After the party High Command named Satheesan as the next Chief Minister, celebrations broke out across Kerala. Satheesan was at the Cantonment House in Thiruvananthapuram, the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition, when AICC leaders formally announced the decision in New Delhi. Minutes after the announcement, supporters erupted in celebration, bursting crackers and distributing sweets in several parts of the state. Paravur in Ernakulam district, the Assembly constituency represented by Satheesan since 2001, witnessed particularly grand celebrations, with party workers and residents taking to the streets to mark the occasion. Meanwhile, Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said he accepts the party decision to select V D Satheesan as the chief minister of Kerala and congratulated him. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Venugopal said he will provide all support to the CM and the UDF government in Kerala. Citadel S2 delivers style; Daadi Ki Shaadi lacks spark _ RoughCut _ Kaveree Bamzai The announcement, originally scheduled in Thiruvananthapuram at the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting, was moved to New Delhi at the last moment. Sources said the change came after senior party leader Rahul Gandhi held an extended meeting with AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C Venugopal, one of the top contenders for the Chief Minister’s post, in the morning. AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi was also present at the meeting. Party sources said the meeting was intended to reach a consensus among all factions before publicly announcing the decision. Rahul Gandhi and the party high command were keen to avoid an open confrontation between supporters of the three leaders, which could have weakened the party’s unity in the early days of the new government. The party reached the decision after multiple rounds of meetings with newly elected MLAs, former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) presidents, working presidents, and senior state leaders. Satheesan, the former Opposition leader who spearheaded election campaigns and took a vocal stand against the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government, emerged as the consensus candidate. Sources said the leadership was mindful of his popularity across sections of society and his approachability, which tipped the balance in his favour. While Venugopal, considered a close confidant of Rahul Gandhi, enjoyed the support of a majority of Congress MLAs and MPs, Satheesan also had the backing of influential UDF allies, including the IUML. Although Venugopal appeared to be the frontrunner in the initial rounds, sources said the Satheesan camp gained an edge during the leadership’s final round of consultations. Senior leaders such as AK Antony, VM Sudheeran, and K Muraleedharan reportedly urged the leadership to take public sentiment into account, which favoured Satheesan. On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi also held another round of phone calls with Congress MPs to gauge their views on the situation. It was learnt that Priyanka Gandhi, MP from Wayanad, also urged Rahul Gandhi to consider the prevailing political atmosphere before finalising the Chief Ministerial choice. Sources said the leadership was particularly concerned about the firm stand taken by the Muslim League, the UDF’s key ally, which openly supported Satheesan. The development put the leadership in a difficult position, as it anticipated setbacks in the upcoming bypolls and the 2029 general elections. At the same time, the party was keen to avoid the perception of yielding to pressure from its allies. Satheesan’s camp raised concerns that appointing Venugopal would force the UDF to face two by-elections, one to elect him to the Assembly and another for the Alappuzha Lok Sabha seat currently represented by him. According to them, such a move could be politically risky in the state at present. The Congress leadership had been facing mounting pressure to finalise a chief ministerial candidate following the May 4 Assembly election results, in which the party secured a historic mandate of 102 seats. The delay also exposed sharp internal divisions within the party and its allies. Preetha Nair Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
NEET cancellation: Opposition takes on Centre, says ‘amrit kaal’ has turned into ‘vish kaal’
Rahul Gandhi said the hard work, sacrifices, and dreams of more than 22 lakh students have been “crushed by this corrupt BJP regime”. NEW DELHI: Several opposition leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday slammed the government after the cancellation of the NEET-UG examination, alleging administrative failure and insensitivity toward students. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘amrit kaal’ has turned into a ‘vish kaal’ (poison-filled era) for the country, they added. Gandhi said the hard work, sacrifices, and dreams of more than 22 lakh students have been “crushed by this corrupt BJP regime”. In a post on X, Gandhi said, “The NEET 2026 examination has been cancelled. The hard work, sacrifices, and dreams of more than 22 lakh students have been crushed by this corrupt BJP regime. Some fathers took loans, some mothers sold their jewellery, lakhs of children stayed up all night studying, and in return, they got paper leaks, government negligence, and organised corruption in education.” “This is not just a failure—it’s a crime against the future of the youth,” the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said. CPM Rajya Sabha member John Brittas said repeated failures in national examinations were eroding public trust in the system. “NEET cancellation is yet another blow to lakhs of students who put in years of hard work. Repeated failures in national exams are destroying trust in the system. The government must fix this broken process,” he said in his X post. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said affected students will have to resort to mass protests as the government only understands the language of agitation. At a press conference, he alleged “political patronage” in paper leaks, saying the NEET question paper was leaked four times in the past nine years and none of the accused were punished. RJD Rajya Sabha member Manoj Jha also attacked the NTA. “Do anything but first dismantle NTA, NEET,” he said on X. “Have you ever thought about the impact on students coming from ordinary backgrounds? The CBI probe is an eyewash,” he said. Preetha Nair Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights