Bhubaneswar: Man had already put paid to elections to student unions in several educational institutions across the state slated for October 11, by his indulgence to campus violence.
Nature took care of the rest Wednesday, as the threat posed by approaching cyclonic storm Titli forced the government to cancel the elections and also order closure of all educational institutions.
Happiness thus gave way to gloom in the space of a couple of hours as authorities of Rama Devi Women’s University and Maharshi College of Natural Law and BJB Autonomous College here conveyed the government’s decision to the students, who had gathered for ‘What I Stand For,’ the platform where contesting candidates for one last time before polling make their pitch, at their respective institutions.
Despite the heavy rain which continued through the day, Rama Devi Women’s University presidential candidates Swikruti Mishra of BCJD and Ipsita Tripathy of ABVP arrived in processions amidst the beating of drums and to the cheers of their supporters.
All seemed well at noon when they and other candidates reached the auditorium to speak about what they would do if elected — from the second campus demand, which remains unfulfilled although the state government has allotted a 30-acre plot of land at Gothapatna, to digital library, renovation of the library, PG and PHD in all subjects etc.
But even before echoes from their animated speeches could fade away, came the heart-rending announcement.
Madhusmita Nayak, candidate for the post of general secretary, said that the cancellation was very heartbreaking because the elections were just a day away and all efforts had gone in vain.
Arpita Priyadasrhini, candidate for the post of dramatic secretary, who even performed a dance number on the occasion, said the heartbreak would have been less had the elections been cancelled a few days earlier.
Swikruti Mishra said she was confident of winning, but nothing mattered anymore. “The cyclone has dashed all our hopes,” she said.
The environment at BJB Autonomous College was no different. In fact, the feeling of dejection was perhaps more as the college would have had its elections after a two-year disciplinary ban.
Presidential candidate Sai Ranjan Behera said,”We totally understand the unavoidable circumstances, but instead of cancelling the elections, the government could have postponed these. It is extremely unfair for the students who invested precious time and money for election campaigning. It is demoralising.”
Madhusmita Behera, a student, said, “BJB hasn’t had elections for two years. We were really looking forward to salvaging the reputation of our college by conducting a peaceful election this time, but it was not to be. All the effort has been in vain.”
Aman Kumar, a contesting student, said, “We had genuine agendas that could bring in a change in the college. If things go this way, there will be little scope for student leadership enhancement in the state. We need a platform to perform, but it’s very disheartening since the election gets cancelled every year due to some or the other reason.”
Titli, in the meantime, continued to move inexorably towards the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh coast for the landfall expected around 5.30 am Thursday.
