PUSU poll campaigning ends; candidates pitch for girls’ safety, central varsity status

Patna: Campaigning for the Patna University Students’ Union (PUSU) polls, scheduled for Saturday, came to an end on Thursday evening. As per election regulations, candidates and their supporters stopped visiting colleges and hostels after 5 pm.Earlier in the day, the university’s election committee organised an open-house debate at the Patna Science College grounds, where all 11 presidential candidates were invited to present their agenda for reforms and development.Each candidate addressed the audience within the allotted five minutes, outlining measures aimed at strengthening student welfare. Several contestants highlighted the need for enhanced protection and security for girl students and reiterated the long-standing demand for converting Patna University into a central university.

Many also sought facilities at par with those available in central universities.

The issue of girls’ safety was raised by almost every candidate.Most candidates voiced serious concern over the acute shortage of teachers and demanded the immediate filling of all vacant posts. Some pressed for establishing placement cells in every college and postgraduate department to facilitate campus recruitment, while others called for improved infrastructure for sports and cultural activities.

Those who addressed the gathering included Anushka Kumari (ABVP), Prince Kumar (Chhatra Janata Dal), Geeta Kumari (AISF), Shantanu Shekhar (NSUI), Saba Afreen (AISA), and independents Abhishek Kumar, Anshal Kumar, Divya Kumari, Rinkle Yadav, Santu Kumar, and Shiv Kumar.Hundreds of students from various PU institutions attended the event and listened patiently. PU chief election officer Shankar Kumar, dean of students’ welfare Yogendra Kumar Verma, registrar Shalini, proctor Manoj Kumar, and several senior faculty members and university officers were also present.