Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik Saturday claimed that the party’s student wing, Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD), won in more than 60 per cent of colleges and 50 per cent of universities in the recently concluded students’ union elections in Odisha.
Several student leaders who won the elections visited Naveen Niwas in Bhubaneswar and met Patnaik. He said the students had secured victories despite the alleged use of money and muscle power and intense pressure from the BJP government in the state.
According to the BJD, elections were announced in 384 colleges, but results were declared in only 286. Of these, candidates supported by the BCJD won in 173 colleges, the party claimed.
Of the 13 universities in the state, the election at Rajendra University was cancelled, while an independent candidate won at Khallikote University. BCJD-backed candidates won at Ravenshaw University, Madhusudan Law University, Fakir Mohan University, North Odisha University and Rama Devi Women’s University, the party said.
Reacting to Patnaik’s remarks, Odisha Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said students’ union elections had concluded in the state two days ago after an eight-year gap.
Suraj alleged that Patnaik and his associates were responsible for the suspension of students’ union elections in Odisha over the past eight years. He accused the BJD president of presenting misleading information about the results to protect his party and safeguard the acceptability of its new leadership.
The minister also said people in Odisha were aware of the number of student leaders elected with the support of different political parties and organisations. He said repeated attempts to present false information as truth were unbecoming of an experienced leader like Patnaik.
Suraj added that Patnaik could instead have used the occasion to encourage students to build a bright future and contribute to nation-building. He said political leaders should keep students and young people away from confusion and misinformation and inspire them to play a constructive role in the country’s development.