Patna, Jan. 15: Chief minister Nitish Kumar’s directive is difficult to be ignored even by the senior officials in the state. But the Patna University (PU) authorities have turned a deaf ear to his plea to conduct students’ union polls.

PU last saw a students’ union election in 1984. Since then, despite repeated pleas and protests by students, the varsity has shown little interest in allowing the democratic process on campus.

Varsity vice-chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh cited helplessness when asked about the next students’ poll. “We are not against holding students’ union polls but before that we have a number of other works to complete such as holding timely examination and introducing the semester system,” he said.

About the college polls, he said: “The women’s colleges (Patna Women’s College and Magadh Mahila College) are conducting students’ polls based on the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations but the co-ed college principals are not keen to start the process at the moment. They fear students’ clashes in the run-up to the polls.”

Nitish, while attending the 150th foundation day function at Patna College, faced protest from students owing allegiance to the All India Students’ Association over various issues, including the curb on the students’ body polls. The chief minister, who himself was involved in students’ politics during his university days, called for poll on the campus, saying: “Election of union is the best way to train students about democracy and politics.”

But the chief minister’s words of wisdom are difficult to swallow for the varsity, which intends to “clean up” the campus before going ahead with such a decision.

The varsity’s reluctance is not without reason. In the past few years, the PU campus has witnessed a number of clashes and eve-teasing instances.

A university official said: “Since students’ body polls have not been held in the past 27 years, clash among students is imminent if the process begins now.”

Moreover, according to the Supreme Court directive, the students’ poll has to be held in accordance with the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations. More than the university, the students have objections to the norms laid down by the committee.

The panel recommended the age of the candidates should not be above 25 and should have at least 75 per cent attendance. Moreover, the committee has restricted election expenses to a maximum of Rs 5,000 and banned political donations.

Sudhir Sharma, the president of National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Patna University, said: “Major students’ bodies are not in favour of holding students’ polls according to the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations. The age restriction will not allow students pursuing PhD and postgraduation to contest the polls.”

Tanveer Ahmad, another PU student and an NSUI member, said: “The committee’s condition for students contesting the polls is totally unfair.”

Teachers at PU feel present-day politicians in the state, though very active in students’ politics when in university, have done little to ensure students’ poll.

A senior PU teacher said: “The main reason behind not holding students’ elections in the state varsities is that none of the politicians are interested in grooming student leaders at the university-level.”