Campus polls return in Odisha after 8 years. Why all 3 parties are hopeful

Campus elections for student unions have returned to degree colleges and universities in Odisha after an eight-year hiatus. This announcement by the state government has reignited political activities on campuses. Major political parties - the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) and National Students Union of India (NSUI) - have swiftly taken action to revive their student networks and ramp up outreach efforts.

All three parties are keenly watching these polls, seeing them as a chance to connect with younger voters, grasp their concerns, and build support among the student community.

The decision to reintroduce these polls was made by the state higher education minister, Suryabanshi Suraj, following discussions with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The minister highlighted that this action is a significant step towards cultivating youth leadership and a promise made during the recent election campaign. The polls will be held on October 15 in all colleges across the state. To avoid potential unrest, the government has set a tight timeline of ten days to complete the entire process.

Campus polls in Odisha were last held in 2017, and the students' wings of various political parties had been pushing for their reinstatement. The National Students Union of India, the student wing of the Congress, also met the higher education minister to push for the revival of student body polls. The current decision has sparked a political debate, with BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal criticizing the previous BJD government for not holding campus elections for an extended period, claiming it discouraged youth leadership.

BCJD President Ipsita Sahoo, however, acknowledged that the campus poll was suspended during the BJD rule due to factors like COVID-19 but emphasized her party's continuous support for student body polls.