Subdued campaign for RUSU polls this year
SYSTEMATIC AFFAIR Students claim election is being conducted peacefully and Lyngdoh committee guidelines are being followed
The campaigning for the Rajasthan University Students’ Union (RUSU) elections, scheduled on August 31, remained subdued in comparison to previous years.
Students claimed the election this year is being conducted in a peaceful manner. “The student leaders contesting the election are following the guidelines formed by the Lyngdoh committee fearing disqualification,” said Prakash Sharma, a student. “During previous elections, the campus used to be full of SUVs and pamphlets would litter roads, buildings would be defaced and loudspeakers were used. This year, however, the administration seemed to be taking the student body election seriously and is on strict vigil to maintain discipline on campus,” he said.
The administration has claimed to have allotted more than 400 staff members for the election. “No student will be allowed to enter the university premises without an ID card. Even family members of faculties need to have a permission letter to enter the premises,” said Dr Sarina Kalia, dean student’s welfare, Rajasthan University.
The Jaipur Municipal Commissioner (JMC) Mohan Lal Yadav has written to police commissioner Sanjay Agarwal on Thursday, urging the police to increase patrolling on VIP routes and to take action against those pasting posters and bills on government properties.
Rajpal Chaudhary, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) candidate for the post of president in RUSU election, campaigned moving from one classroom to another. “All the four rebel candidates from ABVP, who have withdrawn their papers, are now supporting us. We are sure that we will win as we are fighting for the students,” said Chaudhary.
He said that if voted to power they will fight for issues such as digitisation of the library, scholarships for the poor and better infrastructural facilities.
On the other hand, Ranveer Singh Singhania, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) candidate eyeing the president’s post, stood near the main gate of the university and spoke about his plans. “Our main demand is to convert all classes into e-classes, increasing seats in hostels and to make placement cells more effective,” Singhania said.
Mahesh Samota, the NSUI rebel who is fighting the election as an independent, too was seen on the campus. Talking about his priorities, Samota said, “The biggest issue is paper leak and we are demanding an examination system that is fair and transparent.”
During campaigning, Samota also attacked NSUI and said that the organisation doesn’t respect its workers who have been working for years. “I am working from the past four years for the NSUI but in return, the party has given the ticket to a candidate who is just two years old in the party and has a history of losing elections,” said Samota
The result of the election will be declared on September 11.
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