With the students’ union election in DAV (PG) College approaching near, the students of various students groups have intensified their election campaign in the college campus. The college campus is presently abuzz with activities with the election heat rising as the rival student groups are preparing themselves for the annual battle for control. They are being found wandering about the campus while sloganeering in favour of the unions they are associated with. They are targeting the freshers who have just got admitted. Considerable number of girl students are being found participating in the rallies being staged daily in the college campus. However, at the same time, outsiders are also participating in such rallies, flouring the norms, while the college administration is choosing to look the other way.
Students’ groups using novel methods to attract the attention of the new students, ABVP members are using myriad-hued umbrellas while others are wearing T-shits of particular colours with the name of the unions printed on them during canvassing.
Some student groups have declared names of their candidates. Aryan Group has declared that Akash Gaur would contest for the post of general secretary while Ashish Bhatt would contest for the same post in SGRR (PG) College. NSUI and ABVP, the principal contestants, are, however, taking time to declare their candidates to avoid rebel candidates coming into the fray. As is the custom for the previous elections, they are likely to announce names at the final hour.
Apart from police forces and intelligence staffers, the college administration has deployed college staffers to monitor the students’ activities.
The college’s chief election officer DK Tyagi said that the students’ union election is expected to be held on August 31 and September 1. The polling would be held on August 31 while counting of votes would be on September 1. The dates for nomination of candidates, polling and counting would be declared in consultation with all the stakeholders, including the college principal, administrative officers and leaders of various students groups. He added that the election notification would be issued soon.
Some students apprehend that they would not be able to cast vote as HNB Garhwal Central University has not yet declared results of various semester examinations of bachelor and post- graduation degrees.
Dalanwala circle officer Jaya Baloni said that in view of the ensuing student union election in the college, a police chowki, comprising one sub-inspector, four constables and one platoon PAC, has been set up. In addition, Cheetah Police are making rounds of the college campus to maintain law and order. She said that no one would be allowed to take law in their hands in the college areas and other parts of the city.