24 August,2011 08:04 AM IST | | Vatsala Shrangi
Preparations for September 9 elections have taken a hit as students are busy in anti-corruption protests
The much-awaited Delhi University students' union elections are just a few days away but one would hardly notice. The Anna Hazare-effect has taken its toll on one of the most prominent events in the Capital this time of the year.
We, the people: Supporters at Ramlila Maidan, where social activist
Anna Hazare is on an indefinite hunger strike, in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Pic/Subhash Barolia
Students did not get time to even prepare their manifestoes, as the anti-corruption movement kept them busy. Now that the last date for submitting nominations, August 29, is fast approaching, the preparations for elections, scheduled for September 9, have picked pace. Even then, while the north campus is buzzing with activity, the south campus seemed dull.u00a0u00a0
Dinesh C Varshney, deputy dean, south campus, said, "Election activity has just begun. There is not much buzz about students' polls this time owing to the anti-corruption movement. We have not received a single nomination so far."u00a0Reportedly, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) is all set to file its nominations on August 26. The party that secured three out of four seats in the last elections is hopeful of a sweeping win this time as well.
Selection in process
ABVP state president Rohit Chahal said, "We have appointed a selection committee, headed by senior party members from the state. We grabbed three seats last year and are hopeful of bagging all four this time."
About the Congress-affiliated National Students Union of India (NSUI), the rival party, he added, "Owing to the anti-government protests on the pretext of corruption, the promotional activities of NSUI have not taken
off yet."
Meanwhile, NSUI national president Hibi Eden said, "We are trying to put forward the right candidate, who can have an upper hand in the student polls. Our process of campaigning is on and we will release our manifesto soon. The Anna Hazare movement is about anti-corruption. The larger debate is to eradicate the evil of corruption, no matter who is in power."
Prof C S Dubey, member, DU elections, however, said, "The campaigning and promotional activities are on. The activities are, however, subdued because a bigger issue has gripped the city."
Girls uninterrupted
Delhi University students will organise an all-girls rally in the north campus on Wednesday, in support of the anti-corruption movement. The girls' march will begin from the Faculty of Arts at noon. More than a 1,000 students from colleges across the university have registered for the event.u00a0u00a0
