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Bhubaneswar, Sept 24: Although the official notification for the students’ election 2016 is still awaited, the hopeful candidates for various posts and their supporters have ramped up campus campaigning ahead of the forthcoming elections. Orissa POST runs a reality-check of the pre-election scenarios in Utkal University, BJB (Autonomous) College and Rama Devi Women’s University – three prominent state-owned educational institutions in the state capital.
BJB Autonomous College
With the break out of a clash on the campus recently, sources said the elections might get cancelled eventually. They added that there was a possibility that the institution would remain closed during the time of elections in other institutions in the capital city.
BJB students temporarily closed the gate of the Arts block Friday demanding prompt action against the perpetrators of the clash. It was the second such incident in BJB in a month, involving students belonging to different groups.
Allegations were also brought against an inspector in-charge of a nearby police station who has been accused of favouring those affiliated to the student’s body owing allegiance to the BJP.
Utkal University
A year after the elections in 2015, Utkal University authorities confirmed that the varsity would be holding elections this year. ABVP supporters claimed that students of BCJD had created a ruckus on the campus last year due to which the elections were cancelled.
The authorities have made it clear that proposals advanced by the committee would be strictly followed. However, one of the supporters of a presidential candidate admitted to using more funds than is allowed in the recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee. He added that his party did not want to be left behind when it came to splurging ahead of elections.
Candidates for the post of the president this year are Mahesh Prasad of Biju Chhatra Janta Dal (BCJD) and Ashok Kumar Nayak and Suryamani Das of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
Rama Devi Women’s University
Candidates and their supporters claim they are acting according to the guidelines laid down by the Lyngdoh Committee. Tanmayee Hota, an independent presidential candidate, said she was collecting funds for the campaign from her friends and family. She added that a hostel for blind students and improvement of library facilities were the main agendas of her campaign. The other candidate running for president is Chinmayee Jena.