AAP alleges DU interfering in polls for college bodies

NEW DELHI: The standoff between the Delhi University and the Delhi government over the formation of governing bodies in Delhi government-funded colleges of the university seems to be far from over.

The Aam Aadmi Party has alleged that the university has been interfering in the election of office bearers to Satyawati College’s governing body.

After an 18 month-long tussle, governing bodies in the government-funded DU colleges were finally formed this year. However, last month, the deputy chief minister’s office sent an email to the vice chancellor asking him to replace a university panel member of the Maitreyi College’s governing body.

The email sent from Manish Sisodia’s official ID, and signed by GK Madhav, the OSD to deputy chief minister, had asked for the “deletion of name of a (candidate) from the governing body of Maitreyi College,” as he was already a governing body member of three colleges, which was in violation of the university rules.

DU’S executive council, in November 2011, had resolved that “the same person will not be the member of the governing bodies of more than two colleges.”

Though the particular candidate has resigned from the GB of Aryabhatta College, as confirmed by the principal of the college and a letter from the university, the AAP has alleged that the university is continuing to pressure the principal and officials to appoint him as the chairperson of Satyawati College’s body.

“A meeting was supposed to be held on Wednesday. But the principal of the college was pressured and asked to postpone the meeting, where the election of the chairperson would be held, to a different date. The university is trying to interfere in the election process,” said Sanjay Jha, an AAP MLA.

An email, allegedly sent to governing body members by the principal of Satyawati College, said that the university had asked the college not to convene any governing body meeting until the university can examine the ‘tie’ that had happened in a previous meeting and election.

“I can assure you on behalf of the V-C that there has been absolutely no pressuring or threatening of any kind,” said Tarun Das, the DU registrar.