The election fever has gripped both the universities in Delhi but Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is a step ahead than the Delhi University as Election Commission of JNU has announced final list of candidates running for the four seats of JNUSU on Wednesday. While prominent student unions like the All India Students Association (AISA), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Students Federation of India (SFI) marked their representation under the various posts in the JNUSU, a new alliance emerged this time round. The rebel faction of SFI, Democratic Students’ Federation (DSF) along with the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) allied to form the left Progressive Front (lPF) and have a representative running for each of the four posts.
According to the final list issued by the Election Commission of JNU, seven candidates will be fighting for the post of president while five would be fighting for each of the other three posts. The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) also has its candidates fighting for the four seats. Interestingly there is also the body called the Chatra Janata Dal (CJD) which is fighting the election this time.
While announcing the respective agendas of their parties, the candidates highlighted various points, including hostel issues, bringing WiFi on campus and increasing scholarship amounts, what actually was a point of concern for almost all the parties was women safety. With the increasing number of reported crimes against women at JNU recently, women safety was outlines as the main agenda for the student union elections.
Rahila Perween, the presidential candidate of lPF added, “We talk about empowering women but we only live in fear. So we will fight so that women get representation and can exercise freedom without fear.” Perween is however the only women candidate fighting for the post of president at JNUSU.
Apart from this, ABVP candidate Sourabh Kumar brought up the issue of restructuring of course in JNU. Kumar feels that the course has become outdated and needs a change. “We want restructuring of the courses and syllabus. It has become outdated and needs to be changed. So if we come to power we will fight for it,” said Kumar, presidential candidate of ABVP. The election at JNU — a world renowened university is scheduled for Sep 12.