Nandigram, Singur dominate Presidency union polls

Students Federation of India (SFI) is facing a barrage of salvos from members of Independents Consolidation (IC), the winner of the union polls last year.

General Secretary Dipanjan Sinha said, “IC members are actively campaigning against the Fascist attitude of the Left Front government in Nandigram.”

On the other hand, SFI chief Mayukh Biswas said, “We are sure that the students of Presidency College are aware that the people who are now shedding tears over Nandigram are those who constantly keep changing their political ideologies.”

He added that SFI had led a concerted effort to show the real picture of Nandigram to Presidency students.

This year, SFI, IC and SUCI-controlled DSO are contesting 72 seats in the

college. IC has been in power at the college for the last three years and had defeated SFI with a three-vote lead last year.

This year, the college authorities have come up with a voters’ list to avoid allegations regarding proxy voting. “We have prepared a voters’ list of all the students. All the parties have been allowed to go through the list. They have been told to suggest any addition or deletion of names before the final list is prepared,” said Principal Sanjib Ghosh. “It is a great step forward and we hope we can have a free and fair elections this time,” said an SFI member.

SFI members also blamed IC for lack of security on the college campus. They alleged that several small political groups were using the college campus and union rooms to propagate their ideologies and held meetings at odd hours. These groups were also putting up posters and writing slogans on the college walls, they added.

“Several iron gates have been installed and only the main gate is left open after 5 pm. Even the college canteen is now closed after 6 pm,” he said.