By Vishwapati
Patna: Bihar ruling party, the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], has decided not to contest the Patna University Students Union (PUSU) elections this year, effectively stepping away from the field. The party, which had achieved significant success in the previous elections, appears to have lacked the confidence to participate this time. Reports suggest that the state leadership refused to engage in the electoral process, a decision that has caused considerable discontent among party workers.
Chhatra JD(U) State President Resigns
Following this move, the state president of Chhatra JD(U), the party’s student wing, has resigned from his post. The resignation has fuelled political speculation about the reasons behind the party’s unexpected withdrawal.
JD(U) has opted to stay out of the PUSU elections this year. While the exact pressures influencing this decision remain known only to the party’s top brass, the repercussions are already evident. The decision has sparked anger within the party, prompting the state president of Chhatra JD(U), Radheshyam, to step down. Radheshyam submitted his resignation to the party’s state president, Umesh Kushwaha, citing the leadership’s choice to abstain from the PUSU elections as the reason for his departure.
Was JD(U) Fearful of Defeat?
The decision by Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) to avoid contesting the PUSU elections has raised eyebrows, especially given the party’s strong performance in previous polls. In the last elections, JD(U)-backed candidates secured victories across various positions, including the presidency. Despite this track record, the party has chosen to sit out this year’s student union elections. Sources indicate that the top leadership instructed state president Umesh Kushwaha to carefully consider the decision. However, the move has left many party members disgruntled.
Reliable party sources suggest that the state president was apprehensive about potential defeat. A former party leader, who is also a professor, reportedly advised against participating in the elections. The professor allegedly warned that a poor performance could damage the party’s reputation and even jeopardise Umesh Kushwaha’s position. With Bihar’s assembly elections approaching, the leadership seemingly concluded that it was prudent to avoid the PUSU elections altogether.
Following this advice, Umesh Kushwaha directed student leaders to steer clear of the polls. It is rumoured that JD(U) has privately decided to support the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), although no official announcement has been made.
(The author, Vishwapati, is a senior journalist based in Patna. He may be contacted at vishwapati25@gmail.com)
