Mangaluru: ABVP-backed candidates won all 37 posts in the Students’ Union elections at University College, Mangalore on Friday, even as the NSUI alleged that the polls were conducted in violation of the state govt’s guidelines.NSUI Dakshina Kannada division convener Suhan Alva said the organisation opposed the elections being held without clear directions from the govt. He alleged that NSUI learnt only on Tuesday that the college had decided to conduct the elections on Friday.“When the govt has said there will be direct elections, why was this election conducted? We have not received any instructions,” Alva said.He said NSUI representatives had approached the university vice-chancellor, the district minister and the college principal, urging them to follow the govt guidelines. Alva claimed that the district minister had contacted the higher education secretary, who reportedly said that any election conducted without following the govt order would not be valid.Alva also alleged that the VC had earlier assured them that the election would not be held. “Everything was done despite this. We will condemn the election and demand that it be declared invalid and reconducted once the govt issues clear guidelines. We also demand strict action against the college principal,” he said.He said general elections for student representatives had been announced after nearly three decades, and that several students were keen to contest. “We had been waiting for this opportunity. There was enough time to conduct the process properly,” he said.The NSUI will seek an appointment with the chief minister during his visit to Mangaluru for the cabinet meeting and urge the govt to conduct student elections in accordance with the guidelines, Alva said.Meanwhile, ABVP Dakshina Kannada division convener Suvith Shetty said the election was conducted peacefully on Friday. Polling began at 10 am, followed by a victory procession after the results were announced.The procession started from the college premises and passed through Clock Tower and Town Hall. Participants paid floral tribute to the statue of BR Ambedkar before the procession concluded around 3 pm.Shetty said the procession passed off without any untoward incident. He also said that neither Alva nor his supporters were present during the procession despite the NSUI’s opposition to the election.The college has around 1,650 students. Shetty claimed that nearly 90% of the students supported the ABVP, while around 10% supported the NSUI. According to him, all 37 elected candidates were backed by the ABVP, with candidates from no other student organisation winning a post.The elected office bearers include Srajan, president; Akshay R, secretary; Ranjitha HI, joint secretary; Charan, Fine Arts Association secretary; and Shravya N Shetty, Fine Arts Association joint secretary.
