In JNU,student union leaders use polls for parent organisations in region

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) enrolls a diverse milieu of students from across India,and those who aspire for a spot in public action come well-versed with the issues and needs of their home turf.

They are now,student politicians have said,conduits for the national party to take home the message.

And the canvas doesn’t get bigger than a general election,they feel,which provides student politicians the hands-on experience,the right springboard for a career ahead.

So,while the All India Student Association (AISA) is campaigning for the CPI(ML) in Bihar and Orissa,the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) is doing it for the Congress in Rajasthan.

The Students’ Federation of India is visiting West Bengal,Rajasthan and Haryana to campaign for the Left parties.

JNUSU president Sandeep Singh said: “Being young workers,we connect to the youth easily. We are trying to reach at least 60 per cent of our young voters.” Singh,of AISA,is at present in Bihar and will return by April-end.

NSUI general secretary Virmani Ram is leading a group of half a dozen students,campaigning at Barmer,Rajasthan. He said: “Canvassing for the parent party during elections improves our network substantially. This will help us to get a firm footing in politics.”

SFI has sent around 20 cadres to North India to help out with campaigning. In addition to door-to-door efforts,these students are also expected to give speeches in smaller towns. “Our cadres address the younger population,seeking their vote,” said Dhananjay,an SFI member. He will be in Kolkata too.

And what about classes? Studies can take a backseat for sometime,feel these cub politicians since an election is a major event. Moreover,since they are all research scholars,they don’t have to take the imminent exams,but only submit thesis papers. Ram said: “We are on a break from classes because of the exam factor. Being researchers,we don’t have to worry much about them.”