Odisha’s Utkal varsity to go ahead with polls

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Oct 2:

Elections to the students’ union of the Utkal University (UU), the oldest varsity of Odisha will be held as per earlier announced schedule, informed Ranjan Bal, Chairman of the Post Graduate (PG) Council of the varsity.

“We had a thorough and open discussion today. As per provisions of the statute, we had obtained advice from our standing counsel.  They have suggested for obtaining suggestion from the Advocate General (AG). We have accepted their demand and tomorrow as per procedure we will write to the AG seeking his suggestion/views. The process for holding of elections will continue. Elections will be held on October 5 as announced earlier,” clarified Bal speaking to newsmen here today after the meeting of the Coordination Committee held this afternoon to take a final call on the holding of elections to the students’ union.

In view of the prevailing tension in the campus, four platoons of policemen were deployed in the varsity campus before the meeting.

Yesterday, tension had surfaced in the campus after scrutiny of nomination papers of candidates. A group of students had alleged that Mahesh Prasad, a candidate contesting for the president post had criminal antecedents. Opposing Prasad’s candidature the group had gheraoed the Vice-Chancellor’s office.

The agitating students demanding the arrest of a particular candidate had locked the varsity’s gate and had blocked the road by burning old automobile tyres.

Today’s meeting was attended by the varsity’s Vice-Chancellor, PG Council Chairman, representatives of two prominent students’ organizations, their legal counselors, candidates and senior police officials.