 |
| Patna University. Telegraph picture |
Patna, Feb. 22: A clash between the young and the old warhorses seems inevitable on the poll turf of the Patna University (PU) syndicate this year.
The election to four posts in the teachers’ constituency of the syndicate, scheduled for February 25, will witness a contest between members of the present Patna University Teachers’ Association (Puta) and the former associates of Puta.
Randhir Kumar Singh leads the association at present as its incumbent general secretary. On the other hand, Amarnath Singh, who held the same post twice before, represents the association’s former members.
Canvassing in the university has gained momentum with candidates from either sides embarking on a door-to-door campaign by meeting teachers personally for garnering support in their favour.
The university syndicate has functions similar to that of a cabinet in a state government. Important university decisions, such as passing of budget, promotion of teachers and even appointment of teachers, are okayed only after the syndicate gives its consent. In PU, there are 22 syndicate members, includes the vice-chancellor (VC), pro-VC, proctor, dean (students’ welfare), heads of various postgraduate departments, along with chancellor and state government representatives (all are ex-officio members in the syndicate).
The voters comprise 58 people, including ex-officio syndicate members and senate members from the teachers’ constituency.
Four candidates are contesting for each of the syndicate post of reader/professor (general category) rank. In this category, the four candidates, who are in the fray, includes Amarnath Singh, a senior teacher from the history department. Contesting against him is Daisy Narayan from the history department. The two others contesting for same post are Padamlata Thakur and D.P. Kamal.
For the lone post of reader/professor (OBC category), Randhir Kumar Singh, the Puta general secretary is fighting against dean of students’ welfare P.K. Poddar. Both Singh and Poddar are senior teachers of university with a large support base.
