Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday said his government had approved students’ union elections across colleges and universities in the state only after the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) assured him of victory in the polls.
Addressing a state-level conference of the RSS-affiliated student organisation, attended by more than 8,000 delegates, Majhi said there were differing opinions about the ABVP’s preparedness for the campus elections, which were held across Odisha last month after an eight-year gap.
“Several questions were raised about holding students’ union elections in the state. There were differing views on whether the ABVP was prepared for the campus elections. I granted permission to conduct the campus polls only after the state ABVP leaders assured me of victory. Finally, the ABVP registered a grand success. This is the power of organisation,” the chief minister said.
The BJP had promised in its 2024 Assembly election manifesto to resume students’ union elections, which had been discontinued by the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government.
Describing young people as game changers, Majhi said the large gathering reflected growing faith among students and youths in the organisation.
He urged ABVP leaders to put the nation first and work towards its progress.
“I have also advised students and youths to become job creators rather than job seekers,” he said.
Majhi also highlighted various initiatives undertaken by his government for students and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s priorities included youth, women and farmers.
He further urged young people to remain vigilant against forces allegedly working against the country’s interests.
ABVP national general secretary Virendra Singh Solanki said the organisation’s victories in 208 colleges and its clean sweep across eight universities marked a new chapter in Odisha’s student politics.
Former Ranchi University vice-chancellor Kshiti Bhushan Das, who also attended the conference, said the ABVP should continue working towards fulfilling students’ aspirations and expectations.
