Teachers are taking little interest in the teachers’ body election at Patna University.

Just 30 candidates are in the fray for as many posts in the Patna University Teachers Association (Puta). The lack of teachers’ interest in the elections is evident from the fact that not one candidate is in the fray for holding executive posts at Magadh Mahila College, Patna Women’s College and Patna Law College.

PUTA election chief returning officer Rama Shankar Arya said: “There are three executive posts at the Magadh Mahila College, but no teacher from the college filed nominations even on the last day (Thursday). Similarly no teacher from Patna Women’s College has filed nomination for the two executive posts there.”

There was also no nomination from the Patna Law College and B.Ed College, which hold a post each. It’s not just the executive posts. There was poor response from the teachers for seven key posts. On Thursday, 17 candidates filled their nominations for the key posts. Three candidates are in the fray for the post of president. Current Puta president P.K. Poddar is contesting again and pitted against him are N.K. Pandey (English teacher at Vanijya Mahavidhayalaya), and Rohit Raman (teacher a Patna Science College).

Similarly, for the two vice-president posts, the fight is between four candidates. The university has received three applications for the lone post of general secretary. Four candidates are in fray for the post of treasurer and three for the two join secretary posts. Sources said the number of candidates in the fray could come down after Friday, the last day for withdrawing nominations.

There are many reasons for the lack of enthusiasm. A senior teacher at Patna University said on condition of anonymity: “Factionalism among teachers, lack of initiative by Puta members to resolve teachers’ issues are few of the reasons.” Earlier, Puta was considered a potent voice of teachers but the association has failed to solve teachers’ problems, he said.

Also, as there has been severe shortage of teachers, neither the university administration nor the state government is giving importance to Puta’s demands. Around 349 teachers work at Patna University. The number will fall below 300 as 50 teachers are going to retire by June 2015.

According to the final electoral roll, 349 teachers would cast their votes. Polling would take place on September 22, followed by counting of votes and declaration of results. The PUTA election is being held after a gap of more than two years.