Archive · 12 Oct 2026
BJP and Opposition Clash Over Odisha Campus Election Violence
Student elections are planned at colleges across Odisha on October 15.
They are the first such elections in eight years.
The BJD and Congress say the government and BJP are interfering with the voting process.
The BJD also alleges that one of its candidates was beaten and made to withdraw.
Congress says direct voting has been stopped at about 206 colleges.
The BJP denies the accusations and blames the BJD for not holding elections in the past.
A total of 6,362 candidates remained in the race after some nominations were rejected and others withdrew.
The parties disagree about whether the election process is fair.
The BJP, BJD and Congress exchanged accusations over reported violence and alleged manipulation ahead of Odisha student union elections.
The BJD alleged a candidate was beaten and forced to withdraw, and claimed colleges were closed or election procedures delayed to disadvantage rivals.
Congress alleged the government was using administrative machinery to favour selected candidates and said direct voting had been suspended in about 206 colleges.
The BJP rejected the accusations, saying the BJD was trying to cover up its failure to hold student union elections for eight years.
Elections were scheduled for October 15 across 347 colleges; after 8,370 nominations, 1,196 were rejected and 405 candidates withdrew, leaving 6,362 in the contest.
- Who
- The BJP, BJD and Congress, along with student candidates and college administrations.
- What
- Parties traded accusations about reported violence and alleged interference in student union elections.
- When
- The elections were scheduled for October 15; nomination withdrawals were reported on Saturday.
- Where
- Colleges across Odisha, including Utkal University and Rama Devi University.
- Why
- The parties dispute whether election procedures and college closures are being manipulated to affect the outcome.
Opposition allegations
BJP response
Fairness of the election process
Opposition allegations
The BJD and Congress alleged that the administration was manipulating procedures and favouring selected candidates.
BJP response
The BJP rejected the allegations and said the BJD was trying to cover up its past failure to hold student elections.
Violence and college closures
Opposition allegations
The BJD alleged that its candidate was beaten and forced to withdraw, and claimed colleges were being closed where BJP candidates risked losing.
BJP response
The BJP accused its rivals of engineering disturbances because they feared defeat.
- Election date
- October 15
- Time since previous elections
- Eight years
- Participating colleges
- 347
- Nominations filed
- 8,370
- Nominations rejected
- 1,196
- Candidates who withdrew
- 405
- Candidates remaining
- 6,362
- Colleges where Congress says direct voting was suspended
- Approximately 206