In view of the recent death of a college official during a clash between two rival groups of students at the Soro College and the violent incidents taking place at the Banki and BJB colleges, the upcoming Students’ Union elections in the State are likely to be tempestuous affairs this year.
Assuming the student elections as the semifinals to show their strength ahead of the panchayat polls in the State next year, different political parties have started preparations to field their candidates in the college elections.
Earlier, the student wings belonging to various political parties were working actively for development of the colleges and universities.
However, the scene is something different today. No student wing of any political party is protesting against the shortage of faculties and non-teaching staffs and the poor infrastructures, for which many of the colleges and universities have been disqualified from getting National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) recommendation.
The college elections now witness ugly competitions among the students to get funds from various political groups. Huge amounts of money are being spent in name of Students’ Union polls.
The candidates are alluring the students by throwing functions and parties, offering them money for petrol, mobile SIM and voucher recharge costs.
In the recent years, violent incidents were reported from many places during the elections. Many a time, the college and university authorities are forced to cancel the elections in view of the pre-poll violence.