Brief
Student wings blame BJP of election cancellations as campus unrest spreads in Odisha
BJD and Congress student leaders say the state government delayed or cancelled nominations to curb ABVP gains, while the ABVP denies the charge.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Student wings of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Indian National Congress alleged on Saturday that the BJP‑led Odisha government selectively cancelled student union elections in colleges where the ABVP was likely to win, prompting protests across campuses.
What happened
Nomination forms for student‑union elections were scheduled for release after 5 p.m. at several universities, but the lists were posted only after 9 p.m. at Utkal, Rama Devi and Ravenshaw universities. The BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty claimed the BJP feared a defeat for its student wing and resorted to “vote chori” and “candidate chori.” BCJD president Ipshita Sahoo cited Nabarangpur and Nayagarh colleges as examples where elections were cancelled despite strong BCJD candidates.
What the reports add
The article notes that BCJD candidates have already been elected unopposed at more than 100 campuses, and four candidates were elected unopposed at Dharanidhar University in Keonjhar, the chief minister’s home district. NSUI Odisha president Bibhuti Bhushan Mohapatra said nominations were rejected in over 50 colleges, while AISF state president Sanghamitra Jena reported four of five AISF nominations rejected at Nimapara College and similar rejections at Maa Manikeswari University.
What was said
Lenin Mohanty told New Indian Express, “The BJP’s student wing is struggling in colleges and universities and thus the administrations are being forced to nominate office‑bearers instead of allowing a fair electoral process.” Ipshita Sahoo alleged a minister intervened by phone to rectify attendance discrepancies for ABVP candidates, delaying list publication. ABVP state secretary Diptimayee rejected the allegations, though her full statement was not included.
How it came about
These accusations follow a surge of over 8,500 nomination filings for the Oct. 15 student‑union elections across Odisha, as reported by Felo News on Oct. 10. The heightened political sparring reflects broader tensions between state parties ahead of the upcoming polls.
Key facts
- BJD and Congress student wings allege the BJP government cancelled elections in colleges where ABVP was strong (newindianexpress.com)
- Nomination lists were released after 9 p.m. at Utkal, Rama Devi and Ravenshaw universities, later than the scheduled 5 p.m. (newindianexpress.com)
- BCJD claims unopposed victories in over 100 campuses and four unopposed wins at Dharanidhar University (newindianexpress.com)
- NSUI says nominations were rejected in more than 50 colleges; AISF reports rejections at Nimapara College and Maa Manikeswari University (newindianexpress.com)
- ABVP state secretary Diptimayee denied the allegations of government favouritism (newindianexpress.com)
Sources
- [1] newindianexpress.com — originally reported as “As campus unrest spreads, political sparring intensifies in Odisha”
