A candidate with her supporters at Rama Devi Women's University. Picture by Ashwinee Pati
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 18: Campaign for students' election is at its peak on campuses across the state with aspiring candidates leaving no stone unturned to woo voters.
Despite pre-election violence occurring in various parts of the state, campaigning continues at institutes that are going ahead with the elections.
Candidates running for various posts are holding rallies followed by speeches where they are speaking about their vision and appealing for votes.
'I am contesting the poll to bring about a change on the campus and for all-round development of the university,' said Harapriya Prusty, a general secretary candidate from Deba Ray College, Bhubaneswar.
Hostel maintenance and sanitation are the issues that are topping the priority list of many aspirants.
'I have tried to get in touch with students on a personal level by visiting them in hostels and explaining to them my agenda. We need to complete most part of the campaigning before next week,' said Sonali Jena, a presidential candidate.
'We have worked hard and many students have supported because we intend to create a good environment on the campus,' said Sindrabhushan Mohapatra, another presidential candidate at Rajdhani College.
Many aspirants at this college are dressing up as characters such as Santa Claus and gods and goddesses to reach out to the students.
Students who intend to climb high in the political ladder in future see this as an opportunity to brush up on their communication skills.
'I want to do serious politics and am not here for fun. I am looking forward to a career. So, I would take this as an opportunity to get to know how things work,' said Archana Jena, an aspirant at Rama Devi Women's University.
During the last phases of campaigning, tips from seniors are also coming handy for the aspirants.
'I have asked the juniors to ensure there is no intervention of outsiders. Student union bodies are necessary for an educational institutions and it the duty of upcoming leaders to ensure that the polls are not cancelled,' said Hrushikesh Mishra, a former general secretary candidate at Utkal University.
