Dynamite News Undemocratic to cancel students' union polls, Samajwadi Party
"It seems after tasting defeat in Gorakhpur parliamentary by-election, some persons are afraid of defeat in students' union polls too. That is why polls have been cancelled. This is a proof of accepting defeat before elections. It is undemocratic to take away the democratic rights of students," SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.
Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party Wednesday termed "undemocratic" the postponement of students' union polls in Deen Dayal Upadhyay University, Gorakhpur, and said the ruling BJP was "afraid" of facing another defeat after losing the Lok Sabha by-election in the city.
The election was set to be held on Thursday, but had to be postponed after two groups clashed on the campus of the state-run university during campaigning Tuesday.
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Officials said the campus has been closed for two days.
"It seems after tasting defeat in Gorakhpur parliamentary by-election, some persons are afraid of defeat in students' union polls too. That is why polls have been cancelled. This is a proof of accepting defeat before elections. It is undemocratic to take away the democratic rights of students," SP chief Akhilesh Yadav told reporters.
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In March, the BJP lost the Lok Sabha bypoll in Gorakhpur, the seat which was with the party since 1989,
The campus clash between rival student groups happened around noon Tuesday, when a few supporters of Ranjeet Singh Srinet, student union president candidate, supported by ABVP, reached the Law department and tried to paste posters on walls.
His supporters, however, were stopped by teachers, following which Srinet misbehaved with the faculty.
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Shortly after, another candidate, Anil Dubey, reached the spot with his supporters and a clash erupted between the groups.
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Ravi Rai, SHO, Cant police station, said the students smashed the glass of vehicles and mild force was used to disperse them.
The faculty along with university teacher association president Vinod Singh later met Vice Chancellor V K Singh and told him they would not support the university election in such a situation.
"The teachers are very angry and no one is ready to work for the election in such a situation where teachers are getting threat over phone and facing misbehavior by supporters of candidates. Political parties are backing candidates and the atmosphere has become very tense," Prof Vinod Singh said Tuesday.
Election officer Prof O P Pandey said, "During the meeting with the advisory committee at VC's residence, a decision was taken to postpone the varsity student union election which was scheduled for September 13. The university will remain closed on September 12 and 13". (PTI)