Student leaders at the NSCUI camp on the Utkal University campus. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 9: “Getting into politics is the only way to solve the problems of the state, I feel this is the right time to get involved,” believes Mitali Mohapatra, a student of the department of women’s studies of the Utkal University.

“I wish to get into active politics in future following my idol Rahul Gandhi,” echoes Bismoy Stalin, a second-year student of the Law College of the varsity.

The students of Utkal University, just like these two youngsters, have come forward to show a great inclination towards joining politics. What drives most of them to politics is the passion to follow Rahul Gandhi as their leader and bring about a positive change in the existing social condition.

As the election membership drive of the National Students’ Union of India’s (NSUI) Orissa chapter is on at the varsity since December 1, students from various departments of the varsity have applied for membership.

Interestingly, many female students have also come forward to contest for candidature for this student wing of the Congress.

“To me, Rahul Gandhi is an icon. I would wish to follow his footsteps and become a leader if I get a designation in the NSUI, Orissa,” says Rajashree Pushpalok, a student of the personnel management and industrial relations department.

“There is no young leader today who inspires me like Rahul Gandhi. What inspires me is that he could have gone for a lucrative career but chose to dedicate his life to his party. After my degree, I may land up with a great job but I would chose politics over a corporate job. In fact, my elder brother is also a district student congress president,” says Santosh Nayak, a management student of the varsity.

The membership drive that will conclude on January 10 has so far had a good response, not only at the Utkal University but also at all other universities across the state, informed state NSUI president, Chinmoy Sahoo.

“I went across 30 districts of the state with our election team. There has been an overwhelming response for membership,” he said. “In fact, Rahulji was here to appeal to students from the state to join NSUI,” he added.

“We follow democracy within the NSUI and thus every designation will be appointed through election which is over in 25 states already. For Orissa, the elections will be over by January end. Since memberships are open to all students, there has been a massive response,” said Aamir Sidiqui, state election officer of the Orissa chapter of the NSUI.