ABVP Claims Wins in 8 of 13 Odisha Universities

Odisha’s student-union elections returned on October 15 after an eight-year gap, with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) claiming victories in eight of the state’s 13 universities. The results also included prominent wins for the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) at Rama Devi Women’s University and Ravenshaw University, underscoring a varied contest across campuses. ABVP state secretary Diptimayee Pratihari said the organisation won eight president, eight vice-president, 10 secretary and 11 assistant general secretary posts at the universities. She also said ABVP swept the panel at Utkal University and won all posts except the president’s position at Ravenshaw. At individual campuses, ABVP candidates won the president’s posts at BJB Autonomous College and Rajdhani College. BCJD candidates won the president’s posts at Rama Devi and Ravenshaw, according to reported campus results. Independent candidates also won at several institutions, including Khallikote Unitary University and Christ College. The statewide balance remains unsettled by the figures available. BCJD president Ipsita Sahoo said her organisation won about 55% to 60% of college unions across Odisha,...