Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), July 18: The state unit of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Odisha has begun preparations for campus polls, suggesting the potential for college elections this year. During a press conference, ABVP members disclosed that candidates for student union elections have been finalized in 70% of higher educational institutions.
A membership drive is currently underway to expand ABVP’s student base, aiming to enroll 2.5 lakh students before the college elections, typically held before the Dussehra holidays.
Arijeet Pattanaik, ABVP’s state general secretary, expressed optimism about holding student union elections following the BJP’s state government assuming power.
Student wings of BJD and Congress have also indicated readiness to participate in college elections pending an official announcement from the Higher Education department. Previously, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj mentioned ongoing discussions regarding the conduct of student union elections.
In the absence of elected student councils over the past six years, higher education institutions have appointed student representatives to various bodies where required. In 2023, Pattanaik petitioned the Orissa High Court urging the former BJD government to resume student union elections, halted since 2018 to maintain campus peace and harmony.
