Bhubaneswar: Student elections in colleges and universities across Odisha are likely to be held within the next 15 days, according to ABVP State Secretary Deeptimayee Pratihari.

Pratihari made the statement after leading an ABVP delegation that met Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on the issue of campus elections.

Following the meeting, she told the media the Minister was hopeful that the student elections would be completed before the Puja holidays.

The State government, however, has not yet made any official announcement regarding the dates for the campus elections.

Pratihari said preparations for the elections are in their final stages. The ABVP delegation also submitted a memorandum to the Higher Education Minister seeking steps for holding the polls.

Student elections in Odisha’s colleges and universities were last held in 2017.

Opposition reacts

Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress urged the State government not to rush the campus election process. The party said adequate time should be provided for proper preparation and organisation of the student elections.

Also, the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD), the students’ wing of Opposition BJD, accused the Odisha government of allegedly pressuring vice-chancellors and college principals to support candidates backed by the ruling-BJP in the campus polls.

BCJD leader Ipsita Sahu said the government could not take away students' right to elect their representatives. She asserted BCJD remains active across campuses and would contest the elections directly against the government-backed student organisations.

She also claimed the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the BJP's student organisation, does not have a strong presence across campuses.

BCJD has remained connected with students through various programmes and activities and would continue to raise issues concerning the student community. On the amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, she alleged the legislation had created uncertainty over the future of the state's youth. The wider BJD has also opposed the amended MMDR Act and announced a statewide campaign over the issue.