The Samajwadi Party has pulled out another trump card on the eve of UP Assembly elections by ordering the revival of elections to student unions in state universities and colleges.
The Samajwadi Party has pulled out another trump card on the eve of UP Assembly elections by ordering the revival of elections to student unions in state universities and colleges.
Students’ unions in all state universities had been banned by the then Mayawati government in 2007 after widespread violence on campuses which delayed academic sessions.
The state government, two days ago, issued an order to all state universities and affiliated colleges, directing them to hold the elections to the students’ union by October this year, as per the recommendations of the Lyngdoh committee, which was set up on the directives of the Supreme Court. The Lyngdoh committee puts an age limit on contestants and also curbs expenditure during campaigning.
The revival of students’ union may bring smiles back to Samajwadi circles, but the government is wary of the impact that these elections will have on the existing law and order situation.
“We are already under tremendous pressure due to the recent spurt in kidnappings and rape cases and now we will have to handle extortion and loot cases that take place during student union elections,” admitted a senior police official. The ruling SP is apparently keen to hold elections to students’ union before the Assembly elections to “pump up” its youth wing.
“The Samajwadi Party, particularly chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, is immensely popular among the youth and the demand for holding student union elections has been pending for long. All political parties are welcome to participate and pump up their youth power,” said a senior SP minister.
Meanwhile, complaints of extortion by wannabe student leaders have already started to trickle in from various cities in the state.
Student leaders have also started frequenting printing press establishment to get posters printed free of cost and others are forcing multiplexes to run their slides — again free of cost.
“It would have been better to have avoided the student union elections this year. The situation in the state is not perfect from the law and order point of view. Caste clashes are taking place in rural areas and festivals also are lined up for the next two months. The police force will have a tough time handling these events along with the union elections,” said a top ranking police official.
