Kolkata: Student union elections will soon be conducted across colleges and universities in West Bengal, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said on Friday, as pressure grows for the restoration of campus polls across the state.
Student union elections have remained largely absent from West Bengal’s higher education institutions for several years. Opposition parties and student organisations have repeatedly demanded that elections be held to give students a greater role in campus representation.
Adhikari made the announcement after attending an event outside Jadavpur University. He also expressed confidence that the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student organisation affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, would perform strongly once elections are conducted.
The demand for student union elections has gained renewed attention following clashes involving student groups at several educational institutions, including Jadavpur University. Supporters of campus elections have argued that regular polls could provide a structured platform for student representation and political participation.
Earlier in the day, opposition leader Ritabrata Banerjee criticised the government over the absence of a clear roadmap for conducting student union elections. He called for polls to be held immediately across colleges and universities in the state.
Banerjee also sought clarity from the government on whether student union elections would actually be conducted, arguing that authorities should make their position clear.
The proposed elections could mark a significant development in West Bengal’s higher education sector, where student politics has historically played an important role. If implemented across institutions, the polls are expected to draw considerable attention from student organisations and political parties.
