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March 5, 2008
Mayawati Lifts Ban
on Students Union Elections

Lucknow
In a surprise move, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Wednesday lifted the ban she had imposed on students union elections in the state.

Mayawati imposed the ban in September last year, four months after she came to power defeating her arch rival and Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav in the state assembly elections.

"I had ordered the ban in the wake of increasing violence on the campuses Sep 7, 2007. It was then vehemently opposed by Leader of Opposition Mulayam Singh Yadav, who termed the move as murder of democracy," she said in the state assembly.

Later, at a press conference, she said: "The idea behind the ban was to restore the delayed academic session in different universities of the state. That is why, I had set up a committee headed by the chief secretary, who March 4 submitted his report to me following which I decided to lift the ban."

"However, these elections would have to be held strictly as per the recommendations of the Lyngdoh Committee that emphasises on going into the antecedents of all candidates in the electoral fray of universities and their affiliated colleges," she added.

Political observers are of the view that the move was aimed at taking the steam out of the Samajwadi Party campaign to label Mayawati as "anti-students", which could adversely affect the ruling party's prospects in the next Lok Sabha election.

March 5, 2008

IANS | Top