E-Paper
JNU goes the poll hog
The general elections have become the playground of cub politicians in JNU. Students in a bid to improve their skills as politicians, are helping parties lure the youth into voting for them, writes Namya Sinha.
The general elections have become the playground of cub politicians in JNU. Students in a bid to improve their skills as politicians, are helping parties lure the youth into voting for them.
Of late, many JNU students have been busy with campaigning for the national parties across India. Sandeep Singh, JNUSU President and also a member of All India Students Association (AISA), returned from his campaigning stint in Bihar for CPI (ML).
Singh accompanied a group of 10 students there for 15 days. He said, “We addressed youth issues because the so-called Young India has nothing to offer to the youngsters. Issues like jobs, wages and corruption were dealt with.” Other members of JNUSU also went to Bihar just before the polls. The joint secretary of JNUSU, Mobeen, also a member of AISA, went to Kathiar, Purnia and Arariya in Bihar.
A succulent experience and networking in the power circles pulls students to campaign in these regions. Sony Kunjappan, general secretary JNU-NSUI, who is handling the Youth Wing for his party during the elections, said, “These campaigning stints help us understand local issues in a practical sense and experience activities beyond campus. This will definitely helps us in strengthening our policies and relations with the parties and get a good hold in politics.” While Virma Ram of NSUI, visited Rajasthan with a few other students, Sagar, another NSUI member, campaigned in Jammu.
Since the target here is the youth, parties are doing whatever it takes to get to them — even if it means going from room to room or addressing small public meetings in every nook and corner.
Members of Students’ Federation of India (SFI) in JNU, had plans to visit Mandi in Himachal Pradesh and Kolkata to campaign for CPM. Dhananjay, state vice president, SFI, said, “Door-to-door campaigning by visiting colleges and holding meets is our agenda.”
