HYDERABAD: “Please support our entire panel” was the most oft-repeated appeal that students have become used to in the last few days on the campus of the University of Hyderabad.On Sunday, they heard more of it from the various students’ organisations as campaigning for the union elections slated for Oct 18 drew to a close.The four-day campaign for the general posts ended with the much-awaited Open Dais session where the main contesting candidates debate like the candidates for the US presidential polls. The issues at stake range from safety of students to scholarships, drinking water facilities and hygiene. The candidates went from room to room in the hostel and literally, way laid the students outside the mess hall to impress upon them the need to vote for them. But the most effective form of campaign is considered to be the handshake -- meeting students through friends and acquaintances. Apparently, front line cadres have been working right from the beginning of the academic year to garner votes for their respective unions. Starting from admission time, where they extend help to freshers, these loyal foot-soldiers have been trying to strike a rapport with the long-term agenda in mind. However, elections at the HCU are not just calculative moves. Campaigning is fun for students as they get to see their mates play the role of netas dishing out stale promises over and over again.Rumors are also a part of this annual event and had earlier even led to clashes among the students. This time, though, not a single jarring note has been struck.“Students’ organizations normally highlight past issues and spread rumors during campaigning and it would be enough to convince freshers,” said Rahul, an MA student. Campaigning also largely depends on convincing the group heads of various social, cultural, regional, intellectual, and community-based groups like Tribal Students’ Forum (TSF), North-East Students’ Forum (NESF), Dalit Students’ Union (DSU), Telangana Vidyarthi Vedika (TVV), Malayali and Bengali community etc.TVV boycott s electionsAmidst the busy-last minute campaigning, a group of students indulged in what’s called “anti-campaign”. Their objective clear: minimize student participation in the elections. Their reasoning is that the unions have done precious little to solve students’ problems. “We have observed that over the years, the election manifestos of all the students’ organizations have just been the same. The basic requirements of the students are not met even after three decades, said Mallesh, a TVV activist. S Chandraiah, Telangana Vidyarthi Vedika (TVV) president said, “TVV is not supporting any organization and is educating the campus community of their responsibilities.” It is also not taking part in the election
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