Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa cautioned his party colleagues against taking the opposition lightly in the upcoming elections. "I have a suggestion to all of you. None of you should take the opposition lightly. They have their own calculation and strengths," Yediyurappa said at the BJP Core Committee meeting in Davangere. The Lingayat strongman claimed that a few Congress leaders are in touch with some BJP leaders. "You need to tread with confidence without giving chance to such incidents (defection). We have to make a sincere effort for the BJP to come back to power with 140 seats in the next assembly elections," Yediyurappa, who stepped down as the Chief Minister on July 26, said. He said the party can be strengthened by inducting into the BJP leaders from SC/ST and OBC communities.
Stalin's appeal after NEET suicides
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin appealed to students tormented by the matter of appearing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to undergraduate medical courses. His plea followed reports of a third case of suicide in a week related to the controversial exam. A 17-year-old girl died allegedly by suicide, the third such death in less than a week. The daily wager's daughter, who had appeared for NEET 2021, was anxious over clearing it. She had scored 84.9 per cent in Class 12. Her death followed a 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old's on Sunday, merely hours before the exam. Over the past few years, 15 medical aspirants ended their lives in the state. "I beg of you, please do not end your lives. Nothing is impossible for you. Study with that confidence. Parents, too, should instill self-confidence in children and not stress them out," Stalin said in his appeal.
