Bhubaneswar, Sept. 6: Students' union aspirants have turned to former leaders and mentors from parent parties for tips and support as they gear up for the elections scheduled on September 23.

While the main campaigning is being done by the student members, senior leaders from various students' organisations are hosting regular meetings to guide them. Although many former leaders have refrained from direct involvement in the polls, others are not shying away and regularly making visits to the campuses or publicly expressing support for their students' wings.

RSS-backed ABVP began preparations after a meeting between aspirants and former candidates where they discussed major issues.

'We determined the final strategy for the students' union elections on the basis of the conclusions drawn from the meeting,' said Jyotiranjan Behera, vice-president candidate at Utkal University. Nationalism is high on the ABVP's agenda for the polls, and they are pandering to the students on any issue that they might be upset about.

Similarly, the BCJD, the students' wing of the BJD, has formed teams to interact with the electorate at Utkal University and gauge the issues that resonate with them. It has come up with its agenda for the polls using these interactions.

'We are bringing together candidates of various colleges and trying to help them chalk out the agenda for the polls. Each college has its own set of issues and we are chalking out the blueprint according to their individual needs,' said BCJD vice-president Rajeshraj Swain.

As part of their campaign, the candidates selected by the BCJD conducted a cleanliness drive at the Rama Devi Women's University with help from the varsity's NCC cadets and NSS wing.

Soubhagya Soumyashree Samal, the BCJD's candidate for president, said: 'Me and my friends cleaned up the surroundings of the canteen, parking and other areas. It is our responsibility to keep the university clean. We also sensitised the students not to litter the campus.'

Poll fever is equally visible at other prominent city colleges. Student leaders are leaving no stone unturned to help the new students around the campus. They are also organising welcome fests to make the new students feel welcome as they canvass for votes.