Confusion reigns in Dean elections as rival groups claim victory

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 17

Confusion marred Dean elections on Monday, as some candidates won after claiming support of both the BJP-RSS and Prof Navdeep Goyal-Ashok Goyal alliance.

Both sides claimed that the winners belonged to their camp. Friction could be seen among constituents of Goyals’ alliance as Jagpal group and DAV lobby put up candidates.

In the end, Prof Navdeep Goyal-Ashok Goyal group claimed 10 out of 11 Deans as their own, while the BJP-RSS said two out of 11. One Dean is claimed by both.

Prof Ronki Ram was declared as Dean Arts unopposed. However, Prof Akshaya Kumar, from Department of English and Cultural Studies, lost Dean Languages election by two votes despite support from Prof Navdeep Goyal-Ashok Goyal alliance.

Prof Gurpal Singh, supported by Mukesh Arora and Dr Subhash Sharma of RSS-BJP, became Dean Languages for the second consecutive time as he secured 35 votes while Prof Akshaya Kumar polled 33 votes.

Prof Keshav Malhotra, who is close to Ashok Goyal, was elected Dean Business, Commerce and Management unopposed.

Dr Jatinder Grover, from Department of Education, was a candidate of Dr SS Sangha and was supported by Prof Navdeep Goyal-Ashok Goyal and BJP-RSS as well. Vicky Gill’s group, which fought along with BJP-RSS in Syndicate election also supported him. He got 56 votes while his rival Sarabjit Kaur, from Jagpal group and DAV lobby got 21. Jagpal and DAV groups had fought Syndicate elections in alliance with Prof Navdeep Goyal-Ashok Goyal.

Both Prof Navdeep Goyal-Ashok Goyal and BJP-RSS claimed that Dr Grover was their candidate.

Prof Anita Kaushal, Principal, Post-Graduate Government College for Girls, Sector 11, Chandigarh, was elected Dean Design and Fine Arts. She received 14 votes while Prof RK Mahajan got 9. Prof Navdeep Goyal-Ashok Goyal supported Prof Kaushal but Prof Mahajan received support from DAV group and also from BJP-RSS.

Dr Subhash Sharma, who leads BJP-RSS group, said, “The alliance between Prof Navdeep Goyal-Ashok Goyal and their various constituents was only for a day. They have put candidates against each other. It was unholy and opportunistic alliance.”

“We are united. The BJP-RSS are unaware of how Dean elections are conducted. It is an election between academics. Now, campus teachers want Deans to be elected amongst themselves. It all boils down to acceptance of a person,” said Prof Navdeep Goyal.