At PU, familiarity breeds support

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 22

When it comes to bagging votes in the student council elections at Panjab University, students coming from all over the country to study under one roof, get divided on the basis of language and region.

Speaking in dialects helps student leaders build a rapport with voters. “We have a majority of voters in hostels (which are our main vote bank), belonging to these states. Localities are easy to approach, as they gel well with our groups in no time. However, for students coming from outstations, we have to build a rapport with them to gain their confidence. Interacting in their dialects not only makes them comfortable but also provides them a sense of security” said Naval Manchanda, a party worker.

Another worker from Haryana added, “The language barrier is not so great in the north but when it comes to elections, it really works. Students are qualified here, so they cannot be divided on the basis of religion. But one can always associate with one's regional languagel”. Not only this, the target voters are further categorised into upper and lower Himachal, Rohtak Division and Hisar division for Haryana, Doaba and Malwa for Punjab. 

“There is a trend in the university from the past almost five years that the party which carries its local culture plays an important role in king making” said Dhushyant Kappor, a political science student on the campus. Thoughts stand firm, if one observes this year’s  alliance of main political parties, including the SOI ( Malwa belt) with HIMSU-NSO-INSO ( Rohtak division, Lower Himachal) and the NSUI collaborating with HSA –HPSU (Hisar division and Upper Himachal) .