Decode Politics: How first battle between Modi govt 3.0, INDIA bloc hits a flashpoint over NEET, NET row

With the Lok Sabha election results signalling a resurgent Opposition INDIA bloc, the raging row over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination and the now-cancelled UGC-NET examination have become the first major issue of conflict between the new BJP-led NDA government and the Opposition alliance. This is set to make stormy the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha beginning June 24.

The Congress-led Opposition has made its intent clear soon after the poll results — that it will not let the government rest, vowing that it would be a “fierce challenger” on issues of national importance. At a press conference in Delhi two days ago, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi repeatedly attacked the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over their alleged failures to stop paper leaks. Rahul made it clear that the Modi government 3.0 will face “intense scrutiny“ of the Opposition on various public issues.

“They (government) can indulge in eyewash. But they will face such pressure from the Opposition that they are going to think twice about whatever they are doing. We will make sure that we put so much pressure on them that this issue (leaks of exam papers) is resolved,” Rahul said. He added that the Opposition would raise this issue in the upcoming session of Parliament.

During the recent Lok Sabha polls, which saw the INDIA bloc win 234 seats, the issue of paper leaks featured frequently in the election speeches of prominent Opposition faces — including Rahul, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, among other INDIA leaders — as a way to reach out to the youth.

The Congress, in its manifesto, had promised fast-track courts to