Controversial Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) leader Mahesh Prasad was elected as the president of Utkal University Students’ Union on Wednesday.
The ruling BJD yet again captured Utkal University as its students’ wing leaders Mahesh Prasad, lalatendu Mallick and Ipsita Sahu were elected as president, vice-president and general secretary of the students’ union, respectively. BCJD candidates Balaram lenka and Siba Sankar Mahanty were elected as cultural secretary and athletic secretary of the university as well.
Prasad defeated ABVP candidate Gayatri Sathpathy and Congress backed Ashok Nayak.
“Those who were in favour of truth and development voted for me. I am thankful and grateful to them (students) as they didn’t believe in the allegations levelled against me and reposed trust on me. I am always with the development; so students chose me as their leader,” said Prasad.
Allegations were levelled against Prasad that despite being charge sheeted and having an NBW against him, he was contesting the polls violating the lyngdoh panel guidelines. Similarly, BCJD candidates also won president and general secretary posts at Ravenshaw University in Cuttack.
Swagatika Mohanty and Silbhasa Badajena were elected as president, secretary, respectively of the University law College.
The elected office-bearers would take oath on Thursday.
On the other hand, students’ union polls in 32 colleges across the State, including BJB Autonomous College were cancelled due to pre-poll violence.
However, tension prevailed at Utkal University here as a student was injured after he was allegedly attacked by a group of students in the varsity campus.
According to reports, the victim is a student of library Science Department. He had a hot exchange of words with a group of students when he was on the way to cast his vote. Following the incident, the latter attacked him.
The victim sustained injuries on his head and was admitted to the Capital Hospital here, sources said.