Trouble for AAP's student wing? DU mulling action against CYSS for rock concert

New Delhi, Sep 3: Delhi University is seeking legal opinion to take action against the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) students' wing CYSS following complaints against it of using "money power" in campaigning by organising a rock concert ahead of DUSU polls.

The party had organised a star-studded rock concert at Talkatora stadium earlier this week where Delhi Chief Minister had addressed the students of poll-bound Delhi University promising them higher education loan scheme, one lakh jobs within a year and free wi-fi in colleges.

Apart from Kejriwal, the event at Talkatora Stadium in the national capital also saw the presence of his deputy Manish Sisodia, Transport Minister Gopal Rai, and a number of popular Bollywood artistes, including singers Vishal Dadlani and Shilpa Rao.

"The university norms do not permit endorsement of candidates by political parties. Here they contest as students. There is also a limit of Rs 5,000 for expenditure in campaigning as per the Lyngodh Committee recommendations.

"We have received complaints against CYSS' rock concert and we are seeking legal opinion about what action could be taken," DS Rawat, DU faculty and Chief Election Commissioner for DUSU polls told PTI.

When the elections were announced, I had written to all the major political parties, including Congress and BJP, to cooperate with the university administration for holding a "fair and transparent" elections, he said, adding candidates should refrain from use of muscle and money power in campus elections.

Rawat, however, did not elaborate upon what action could be taken against the party or the candidates if the legal cell verifies it to be a violation of rules. "The legal cell is investigating the complaint. A call will be taken later on basis of its report," he said.

Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS) is making its debut in the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections, scheduled to be held on September 11.

Nomination process for the elections concluded yesterday and 169 candidates are in fray for the post of President, Vice-President, General Secretary and Secretary.

While CYSS and Left-backed All India Students' Association (AISA) have already announced their candidates, other parties were yet to come up with their nominations.

Another new entry in DUSU polls this year is the youth wing of Shiromani Akali Dal, Students' Organisation of India (SOI).

Last year, the DUSU polls were swept by BJP-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) trouncing Congress' National Students' Union of India (NSUI) to bag all four positions.

PTI