Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the students’ union elections in Odisha on October 15, being held after a gap of eight years, the ruling BJP and Opposition BJD and Congress traded charges over alleged violence and manipulation of the poll process.
The BJD and Congress held separate press conferences in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, accusing the state administration of favouring the BJP. The BJD alleged that fearing defeat, BJP leaders and workers had resorted to violence and kidnapping of candidates who filed nominations.
It claimed that the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal candidate of UK Mahabeer Mahabidyalaya, Madanpur in Pattamundai, was abducted and forced to withdraw from the contest, and was beaten up by BJP supporters while police remained a mute spectator.
BJD leaders Byomakesh Ray, Sarada Prasanna Jena and student wing president Ipsita Sahu said cancellation of elections in several colleges was a direct attack on the democratic rights of students. “In places where BJP is sure its candidates will lose, it is pressuring principals to declare sine die in colleges,” Sahu alleged.
She also alleged that while the list of candidates was to be published after 5 pm following scrutiny, at Utkal University and Rama Devi University it was deliberately published after 9 pm.
“Several ABVP candidates would have faced rejection due to inadequate attendance. However, ministers allegedly made telephone calls to facilitate corrections in their favour, resulting in delays,” she said. The BJD sought an immediate review of the closure of colleges and restoration of democratic processes on campuses.
Congress student wing chief Bibhuti Bhushan Mohapatra also accused the state government of misusing administrative machinery to secure unfair wins for favoured candidates. He claimed direct voting has been suspended in about 206 colleges where candidates were being handpicked. Rejecting the allegations, BJP youth wing president Abhilash Panda accused the BJD of not conducting students’ union elections for eight years.
“The BJD is trying to cover up its past mistakes,” he said. A total of 347 colleges are participating in the 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.
