ABVP, NSUI to share joint secy's tenure

VCs decision unacceptable to one party

Rivals Akhil  Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and National Students's Union of India have been asked to split the one-year tenure for the post of Delhi University Students' Union joint secretary, even after a tie-breaker draw of lot on Thursday went in ABVP's favour.

DUSU results were declared on September 15. Three posts were won by NSUI while the fourth was a tie between ABVP and NSUI.

On September 18, a notification from the office of the Chief Election Officer (CEO) stated that a draw of lots will take place, irrespective of the party candidates attending it or not, to decide which candidate would be picked for the post for the full term.

Foul play

Alleging foul play in the entire counting process of DUSU elections, ABVP  boycotted the draw.

“Our party candidate's name came up for the post of joint secretary. In the DUSU elections guidelines it is mentioned that whichever party’s candidate’s name comes during the draw of lots, that should be the final decision. DU officials are not following their own guidelines,” said ABVP member Rohit Chahal.

Move court

He said the party will move court shortly. NSUI spokesperson Amrish Ranjan Pandey said their party had sent a letter to DU officials asking to divide the term.

“For the post of joint secretary to DUSU elections 2012-2013 under the formula of half of the period that is from September 20 till March 5, 2013 Vishu Basoya (ABVP) and Raveena Choudhary (NSUI) shall hold office from March 6, 2013 till August 15. Each candidate will hold office for the specified time,” stated a notification of by the CEO.

VC takes decision

According to an election committee member, the decision to divide the tenure between the two candidates was taken by vice chancellor Dinesh Singh.

“The VC, after discussions, came to the decision that the draw of lots will decide as to which candidate will hold the office first. He has powers to take such decisions,” said the member.

ABVP members are questioning the powers used by the VC. “There is no clarity as to which power was used by the VC to change the decision on draw of lots. And if they did decide to divide the tenure then what was the point of the draw of lots,” said a member.

The DUSU tenure started on September 15 and will end on August 15, 2013.  Each party candidate will get five and a half months as joint secretary.