JNU Student Union Election2012 Arrangements Are ON

The preparation for polls for the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student union (JNUSU) started with much euphoria among students who are busy filing nominations, deciding on the candidatures, laying down the agenda and campaigning on campus. The varsity goes to polls on March 1, 2012.

All major student groups including the All India students Association (AISA), the Students Federation of India (SFI), All India Students Federation (AISF), National Students Union of India (NSUI), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and a few independent candidates as well will be seen contesting the elections for the 35 positions.

While the election manifesto of the SFI highlights infrastructural crisis as its main agenda , it is also focusing on more hostels and gender issues. The AISA is focused on increasing the quantum and duration of scholarships at all levels in the university. The issue of reduction in weighting of viva marks is the other important issues on the agenda of the AISA.

According to student leaders, the weighting for viva voce at the JNU, which is currently 30%, is not only illegal but also leaves scope for discrimination. The parties are demanding it to be reduced to 10-15%. Other parties like the NSUI and ABVP are highlighting issues like making the campus more disabled friendly and increasing the number of seats for the reserved categories.

However, while February 28, ie.. today has been scheduled for presidential debate in the JNU, February 29 is a no-campaign day.

Source : TOI