Poll promises galore — Visit to Parliament, world study tours

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 30

Student political groups are leaving no stone unturned to woo voters on the campus ahead of the Panjab University Campus Student Council (PUCSC) elections to be held on September 5.

Finding some innovative ways, the groups are promising voters educational tours across the nation, a visit to Parliament and international study tours, if voted to power.

“It’s impossible to come up with a new poll promise every time. Last year’s winning group had promised menstrual leave for students, which was an exceptional poll promise. It helped the group woo voters,” said Devika Boora, a campus student. Her friend, Anamika Sharma, who is pursuing a degree in fashion, said: “The parties are working hard on finding new poll promises this year. There’s a huge change in contesting elections nowadays. Students are very well aware of their rights, and demand some firm promises from the contesting groups. The menstrual leave issue was a very good poll plank and the party fulfilled the promise when voted to power.” Another poll promise is representation in the university’s governing body (Senate), which all groups have demanded in the past too. “This is one of the most promised issues by almost all contesting groups. The students’ elected representative (president) should be included in the Senate or Syndicate on invitation to raise their issue,” added Parminder Singh Gill, a student pursuing law.

“You cannot contest elections just on the promise of solving students’ problems. One has to be really innovative in making poll promises, as the problems can’t be solved alone even if a group comes to power. This promise of study tours by one of the oldest political groups of the university is good but how they would manage finances at a time when the university is facing the financial crunch?” said another student, Aadarsh Manchanda.

Pre-poll parties

The contesting parties are all set to throw parties for voters before polling. Various hostellers claimed the groups had planned parties at discotheques or pizza treats to share a "bond" with them. The students are expecting some invites in a few days. "Pizza parties have started at a few colleges. Some groups are even ensuring parties at a discotheque in Sector 35. Let's see what else the contesting groups have in their kitty for the last moment to attract voters, especially the first and second year students," said a hosteller.

Certain groups are already offering free juices or cold drinks to the students canvassing for them on the campus.