DU ELECTIONS

Two weeks of slushy and wet rains failed to dampen the spirit; perhaps only agitated more the zest and competition in the various parties as they campaigned for the forthcoming DUSU elections. A week back, DUTA elections had led the way in exercising Democratic participation in electing the representatives; the ones who would come to represent them and fight for their rights and opinions. DUTA preceded the DUSU elections in an exemplary behavior, keeping alive the age-old tradition of Guru-Shishya handing down of knowledge and responsibilities. The protocols were observed in letter and spirit in as flawless a manner of a role-model as possible; even as coarsened disputes materialized in corners of newspapers and there were reports of grouches bullying those standing in elections, especially lady students from filing their affidavits and documents in North Campus. There is little fun in winning without a little tussle. In keeping similar spirits, the student bodies held up their nominees onto the larger platform of University from colleges.

How high and prestigious the offices of the victors would be was obvious from the ceaseless cheering by the participating bodies and their supporters. And the voices got louder as D-day approached. 9^th September loomed large. Many had spent hours; there was behind-the–curtain strategizing. Each day there were supporters to be won. From the past three weeks curiosity was cooking amongst the non-participants. Even as the budding politicians joined their parent parties, there was unconditional support extending from the classrooms. Attendance was marked silently. In gratitude there were also promises of cocktail parties to the boys’ majority and graceful parties to the teetotalers. There was a sudden striking of handshakes with the seniors, they visited the fresher’s classes often: sometimes to introduce themselves, at others to be introduced with the latter. There were smaller associations, like the Political Science Association in my college that asked for contributions and asked us to churn them a Vice- President (Vice-Presidents are supposedly from 1st year).

As 9th September approached campaigning got fiercer and fiercer still. There was to be no stopping until the last supporters to opposing parties had changed sides. Classes were never regular for the hollering in the corridors only got louder. They dropped in amidst the classes; standing to give their manifestos with poise and élan. “Bus service must be started on this South campus route. ….. There should be Metro feeder to AIIMS station. ……The dilapidating canteen needs infrastructure and better food……. Evening college has no club rooms of its own……It has been ages since a new College opened up”, while

one emphasized on what ought to be, another stressed on what they had already accomplished, “In the Radhika Tanwar murder too we had held protests and fought for student rights…etc.”

The last week came as the finishing touch to the hard work of months. “Hamara neta kaisa ho……..Jaisa ho” filled the air. Some dressed in the quintessential Netaji dress, some in Kurtas and Jeans. Garlands hung on their necks like ornaments. The canteen was on-the-house on Wednesday, and there were organized trips to ‘Adventure Island’ in groups throughout the week. When I went to college last before elections on Tuesday, all of the parties barricaded the entrance path. Hands were shook every two meters and pamphlets handed over. Even if you were convinced with one party, the next was standing just ten feet away to lure you into their welcoming embrace. A north-east forum came up in my college in the last couple of days and actively supported NSUI. We visited the Indira Gandhi National Cultural Association (IGNCA) at Janpath with the NE-forum; though it was differently aligned it came as political education and guidance for the campaigners. There was also a Palam Party activist who got cell numbers written so that we don’t shake off balloting on the last day but mysteriously did not come to college on the last crucial days before Friday. Election Day was only dampened by the lashing of clouds, it was one of the wettest days of this Monsoon and the exercise of the franchise stood at a mere 32 percent. (Courtesy: The Hindu) When the results emerged late that day, Prem Kumar Mishra assumed office as President of my college student’s body. (The name had registered like a poem from weeks of campaigning outside our classroom window). At the University level, while NSUI’s Ajay Chikara reined winner of the post of President of DUSU, BJP backed ABVP clinched rest of the five offices. It was all’s well that ends well for the parties and students as life tuned back to normal from Monday.