ABPV faces flak for inviting NE CMs for campaigning in JNU polls

New Delhi, Aug 29, 2018:

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has come under sharp attack from various student bodies, particularly those having affiliations with the Left parties, for allegedly trying to influence the outcome of the ensuing elections in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) by using its political clout.

This follows a meeting organised in the varsity campus by ABVP on Tuesday evening where Sarbananda Sonowal, Pema Khandu and N Biren Singh - Chief Ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur respectively - were present.

All India Students' Association (AISA) and Democratic Students' Federation (DSF) described the event as a "blatant display of misuse of power" as the ABVP had invited elected representatives to the JNU for campaigning.

In a statement, AISA president Sucheta De alleged that ABVP was using a lot of money and power in the campaign, evident in the invitation and bringing of Chief Ministers of the three States to the campus.

However, when contacted, APVP president Vijay Kumar told InsideNE that the ABVP had done nothing wrong by inviting the Chief Ministers and pointed out that the Left organisations as well as other student bodies call their top level leaders on a regular basis.

"If they can do it, we too can call the Chief Ministers," he quipped.