Syndicate poll: Ashok Goyal group declares 4 candidates
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 14
The Ashok Goyal group today declared their four candidates for the upcoming Panjab University (PU) Syndicate polls.
There are 15 seats in the Syndicate, which is a governing body of the varsity. “Prof Rajesh Gill and I are contesting from Medical Sciences faculty. Prof Keshav Malhotra and Assistant Professor Praveen Goyal are contesting from Languages faculty,” said Ashok Goyal.
He added, “We are short-listing candidates for election from combined faculty. We announce their names at an appropriate time. We will not be contesting from arts, science and law faculties.”
The election to Syndicate will take place on December 18 where senators contest from the seats reserved for their faculties.
“We will be contesting on our own. All groups of all shades including the so called supporting Vice-Chancellor are on one side and objective and right thinking people are on the other side,” he said.
When asked how he had been thinking of victory with just 13 members, Ashok Goyal replied, “Can anyone imagine of victory with just 13 members? This is what we need to show that we are a much larger group. Some do not show their support openly.”
He claimed that Prof Navdeep Goyal group was not declaring candidates, as there was bickering among them. He said, “Everyone among them wants to get elected unopposed. They want to avoid contest. And they have more contenders and lesser seats.” Ashok Goyal group is also looking forward to contest Dean elections.
‘We are intact’
On the other hand, Prof Navdeep Goyal, fellow and chairperson of Physics Department, holds majority in senate. Even in the Syndicate he can claim to have support of all members.
He claims support of sub-groups like DAV group, BJP affiliated members, Gosal group, Iqbal Sandhu group, Jagpal Singh group and the one led by Rabindernath Sharma also. In total, they are 65.There are 91 members in Senate.
“We are intact. We will decide our names on December 17. Ashok Goyal group does not have candidates for all 15 seats. They will not even win a single seat,” said Prof Navdeep Goyal.
“Last year they did not have guts to fight elections. I am happy they are contesting this time and it is their right too. But result is clear. We are winning,” he said.
He added, “Ashok Goyal group is just seeking votes in medical faculty. But they will lose.”
For Dean elections, he said, “Criteria for us is seniority and excellence in academics.”
