Bhubaneswar: BJP sparred with the BJD and Congress over reports of violence ahead of students’ union elections in Odisha next week, with the Opposition alleging poll process manipulation and the ruling party accusing its rivals of engineering disturbances, fearing “certain defeat”.
The elections, scheduled for October 15, would be held after eight years.
The BJD and Congress held separate press conferences here, accusing the state administration of manipulating the poll process.
“Fearing defeat in student union election, BJP leaders and workers have resorted to violence and kidnapping of candidates who have filed their nomination,” the BJD said in a statement.
It accused the BJP of abducting Biju Chhatra Janata Dal candidate of UK Mahabeer Mahabidyalaya Madanpur, Pattamundai, and forcing him to withdraw from the contest. The candidate was beaten up by BJP supporters, with police remaining a mute spectator, the BJD alleged.
At a press conference, BJD leaders Byomakesh Ray, Sarada Prasanna Jena and its student wing president Ipsita Sahu claimed that “cancellation of elections in several colleges was a direct attack on the democratic rights of the student community.”.
“In places where the BJP is certain that its candidates will lose the polls, it is putting pressure on principals to declare sine die in colleges,” Sahu alleged.
She pointed out that, following the scrutiny of nomination papers, the list of candidates was scheduled to be published after 5 pm. However, at Utkal University and Rama Devi University, the lists were deliberately published after 9 pm. Sahu alleged.
“Several ABVP candidates would have faced rejection because of inadequate attendance. However, ministers allegedly made telephone calls to facilitate corrections in their favour, resulting in delays in the publication of the list,” the BJD youth wing leader said.
The BJD leaders sought an immediate review of the decision on closing the colleges and demanded restoration of democratic processes on campuses.
The state Congress’ student wing chief Bibhuti Bhushan Mohapatra launched a scathing attack on the ruling dispensation, accusing it of trying to manipulate the poll process. “The state government is misusing administrative machinery to secure unfair wins for favoured candidates.” He alleged that direct voting has been suspended in approximately 206 colleges, where candidates were being handpicked.
The state BJP’s youth wing president Abhilash Panda rejected the allegations and accused the BJD of not conducting students’ union elections for eight years. “The BJD is trying to cover up its past mistakes.”
A total of 347 colleges are participating in elections. Of the 8,370 nominations filed, 1,196 were rejected while 405 candidates withdrew their nominations on Saturday, leaving 6,362 in the fray.
PTI