Chances of no contest for PU Syndicate poll

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 13

Hectic parleys are going on between Ashok Goyal and Prof Navdeep Goyal groups before Syndicate elections of Panjab University (PU) on December 16 to avoid any contest for any of the 15 seats.

The BJP-RSS, which at present has two members — Dr Subhash Sharma and Chandigarh BJP president Sanjay Tandon — may not get support for any seat. But Sharma is hopeful.

“If there is need to contest, we will contest. But at present, we are trying to get all the candidates elected unopposed. It is wrong if you are suggesting that we will be denied any seat. In fact, I am making various groups to talk and decide candidates unanimously,” said Sharma.

Ashok Goyal and Prof Navdeep, who have allegiance with the Congress, head two major groups in the PU Senate. Syndicate elections are held annually wherein 15 members are chosen among the Senators.

The contest may not happen this time as both groups are expected to divide seats between themselves and all the 15 members could be elected unopposed. There are smaller groups which will also be adjusted.

Prof Navdeep Goyal’s group is upset over key posts going to the BJP-RSS members after the appointment of new Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof Raj Kumar. They have an apprehension that Dean, Students Welfare (DSW), Prof Emanuel Nahar, could be replaced along with few wardens.

Earlier also, members owing allegiance to the BJP had tried to limit the tenure of Prof Nahar, but the then former MP, Pawan Kumar Bansal, led other Congress Senators to press for extending his tenure by one year to which former VC, Prof Arun Kumar Grover, had agreed.

Both Ashok Goyal and Prof Navdeep toed the same line during the December 8 meeting of the Syndicate, where they ousted Dean (Research), Prof SK Tomar, and condemned the formation of two-member committee over the working of the Controller of Examinations, Prof Parvinder Singh. They also condemned the formation of committees in November to oversee the working of hostels.

In 2017, Prof Navdeep Goyal’s group had a majority in Syndicate as its 13 members got elected to the 15-member House. That time, the group had aligned with the BJP affiliated Senators and also Leftists.

Ashok Goyal’s group surprised all with two victories as he managed to cause defection in the rival camp. Eleven members of Navdeep Goyal’s group were elected unopposed.

In 2016, Prof Navdeep Goyal got all the 15 members of his group elected unopposed.