Panjab University polls: Camps on the campus and contest on the cards

[related-polls]

On Monday, the three presidential candidates from PUSU, SOI and NSUI will be taking out rallies across the campus. For the same, the university authorities have approved a route from UIET to the Arts Block.

In addition to this, students are actively involved in online campaigning by uploading newer videos and pictures supporting their parties on a daily basis. Interestingly, many supporters are also creating and uploading cartoons online that intend to criticise other student organisations.

In the PUCSC elections last year, the Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) had won three out of the four posts. The NSUI’s Divyanshu Budhiraja was elected as president of the Students’ Council after defeating Rachit Duggal of the Students’ Organisation of India (SOI). The NSUI’s Snigdha Bawa defeated the SOI’s Ramandeep Kaur by a margin of 288 votes and was elected as the vice-president of the council.

Neeraj Kharab of the Panjab University Students’ Union was defeated by Ankur Sehrawat of the NSUI, who was then elected as the secretary of the Students’ Council. The NSUI lost to the PUSU’s Abhishek Thapar for the post of the joint secretary by a margin of merely 76 votes.

This time around, the students are, however, not sure if the NSUI will sweep the polls. “SOI has been very active in campaigning this year, and there are good chances that it might come to power at PU this year. However, PUSU is also a very strong student organisation at the university. So it is really hard to say which party will win,” said Manveer Kaur, a student of PU.

Manjod Singh, another student, said, “I think the mood of the university students will be clearer after the rallies which are being conducted on the campus today. Whichever party manages to get more students to participate in its rallies will emerge victorious most probably.”

Candidate Speak

Jasmeen Kang, SOI’s presidential candidate

USP: Reforms for research scholars, and starting of a 24-hour shuttle bus service

On hostels: “Hostels are very poorly maintained; washrooms are not cleaned regularly. Even in winters, many geysers do not function properly, which is why we will put forward a proposal for introduction of solar panels in the hostels. In addition to this, we will also look into the space crunch problem, and request for constructing new hostels for boys and girls.”

On women security: “For better security of the students, we will root for installation of more CCTV cameras inside the university campus, and restrictions on outsiders’ entry will also be imposed.”

On parking: “With an increase in the number of four-wheelers, the problem of parking is witnessed on the university campus, including the boys’ hostels. Banning four-wheelers is not a very feasible solution as faculty members also use four-wheelers. We are giving a proposal for setting up of a multi-level parking facility in front of the Admin Block building.”

Puneet Sharma, NSUI’s presidential candidate

USP: Smart cards for students, and rooting for students’ unity

On hostels: “We do recognise that there is a lack of adequate hostel facilities for the students, which is why, if elected, we will make sure that at least two new girls’ hostels and one new boys’ hostel is approved by the university authorities.”

On women security: “An improved mechanism for entry to PU needs to be implemented, which is why smart cards should be issued to all students. The students will then be able to enter the campus only after showing these cards, which will restrict outsiders’ entry to a great extent.”

On parking: “A better security mechanism will restrict the number of vehicles that enter the campus, and the problem of parking will also not be as severe as it is now. Students who have their vehicles registered with the hostel authorities have to pay a monthly fee of Rs 100. We will make sure that they do not have to pay this amount because this is uncalled for.”

Baljinder Singh, PUSU’s presidential candidate

USP: Drug-free campus, and transparency in the hostel allocation system

On hostels: “Due to the increasing number of courses at PU, the strength of students is increasing. This is why we will make sure that at least two new girls’ hostels and one new boys’ hostel are set up. In addition to this, there is also a need for having a transparent, online system of hostel allocation, which we have been working on for a while now.”

On women security: “The Panjab University Committee Against Sexual Harassment needs to be strengthened, and we will make sure that happens. Girls need to speak up against any incidents of harassment against them, and we will ensure a system for proper redressal of such complaints. In addition to this, the outsiders should submit their RC and licence to the security guards before entering the campus, which can be collected later.”

On parking: “Due to the lack of sufficient parking space on the PU campus, we will make sure a new multi-level parking facility is set up inside the campus.”