'Sops' for Venky college students

While the DU Students’ Union (DUSU) polls have taken on an austere note, Sri Venkateswara College union elections have become quite the ostentatious affair.

While the DU Students’ Union (DUSU) polls have taken on an austere note, Sri Venkateswara College union elections have become quite the ostentatious affair.

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Not only are the college’s candidates canvassing in fancy cars, but even students are being offered free movie tickets and trips to amusement parks, all in exchange of a vote.

“On Tuesday, we were told that we would be taken for a Bollywood film, for which the presidential candidate had organised a pick-and-drop service too. In return, we were asked to vote for him on Friday,” said Varun Joshi (name changed) a second-year student of B.Com (hons).

The offer was made only more tempting on Wednesday, when students said the candidates offered to take them to a popular amusement park in the city — claims which were flatly denied by the candidates.

“I don’t have the money for all this. If people are offering such baits in my name, it is just good publicity for me. I don’t need to go around convincing students to vote for me. They have seen me work over the years,” said Sankalp Singh, a presidential candidate.

DU election commissioner, however, has said it is only for individual college principals to act on the issue. “For individual colleges, it is the principal who acts as the election officer. If such issues are reported by students, then it is for the principal to take action. He should write to us, after probing into the matter," said CS Dubey, chief election officer, DU.