Cuttack: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has assured that students’ union elections will resume in Odisha colleges and universities next year, putting an end to the prolonged suspension of campus polls.
Speaking at a state-level programme organized by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Cuttack, the Chief Minister criticized the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government for halting elections. He claimed that the decision was driven by fears of the growing influence of student organizations.
“During my college days, I was not an ABVP member, but I supported the organization during campus polls,” Majhi shared, emphasizing the importance of student participation in shaping the state’s future. He also invited suggestions on Odisha’s developmental vision for 2036, aligning with his government’s long-term planning.
Campus elections in Odisha have been on hold since 2018, beginning with their suspension due to Cyclone Titli. The following year, the BJD government cited campus violence as the reason for cancelling the elections. The COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted academic activities, and despite campuses reopening post-pandemic, the BJD government refrained from including elections in the academic calendar.
Majhi highlighted the crucial role of student organizations in fostering political and civic engagement, adding that the ABVP’s efforts have significantly contributed to the success of the “double-engine government” in the state.
