Bhubaneswar: The BJP has accused the ruling BJD of using students for the party’s campaigns in universities and degree colleges to woo first-time voters ahead of the general elections while not allowing campus elections for six years.
Addressing a presser on Wednesday, BJP state spokesperson Thakur Ranjit Das alleged that the party flags of BJD can be seen on college campuses, banners and Conch signs are also being put up to attract new voters through campaigning in the classrooms. “The state government is unwillingness to allow student union polls on campuses, citing unnecessary political interference and trigger of violence on campuses. But now the BJD members are arranging festivals, using party symbols in programmes and campaigning for the party on the campuses in the name of Yuva Odisha Nabin Odisha programme,” Das said while pointing out at alleged violation of rules of the Lyngdoh Commission.
Instead of improving the quality of higher education, the ruling party is destroying the academic character of campuses through such programmes, he further alleged.
The BJP spokesperson further said that a vibrant democracy and evolution of leadership begin from student union polls. He cited the examples of President Daupadi Murmu, Governor of the Reserve Bank Shaktikanta Das, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who rose to prominence from being student leaders. “The BJD is afraid that the current lot of students may assume leadership roles in Odisha in future and is making attempts to stall their progress. They will give the Conch party a befitting reply in the upcoming elections,” he said.
State president of Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) Devi Ranjan Tripathy, however, rubbished the allegations. “The state government has launched a new scheme NUA-O for all-round development of students and it not a party programme. No party symbol is being used during this government programme, which provides a platform for students to develop their hidden talents in sports and cultural activities,” he added.
