Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Suvendu Adhikari Hints at Bengal Campus Polls Next Year
West Bengal’s chief minister, Suvendu Adhikari, says student elections might return to colleges and universities next year.
These elections have not been held for several years.
He spoke to medical students at a meeting in Kolkata.
Adhikari said campus politics helped him become a leader.
The state has not yet explained when or how elections would happen.
He also spoke about political ideas and Jadavpur University.
His comments suggest the new government is considering bringing campus elections back.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari hinted that college and university student union elections could return next year.
He spoke at a national conference of medical students organised by the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.
Adhikari said student politics had helped shape his own rise and argued that elections should be held.
Student union elections have been suspended for several years; the state previously cited post-pandemic difficulties, and the Calcutta High Court ordered unions dissolved.
No formal election notification, eligibility rules or framework have been announced; Adhikari also criticised ideological opponents and discussed support for Jadavpur University.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, speaking to medical students at an ABVP conference.
- What
- Adhikari hinted that student union elections in colleges and universities could resume next year.
- When
- Friday; he indicated polls could be held next year.
- Where
- RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- Why
- Adhikari said student politics and elections are important, citing their role in his own political rise.
Arguments for campus elections
Reasons for suspension and unresolved concerns
Whether campus polls should resume
Arguments for campus elections
Adhikari said elections should be held and argued student politics can help shape political leaders.
Reasons for suspension and unresolved concerns
The previous state government cited difficulties holding polls after the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Calcutta High Court ordered student unions dissolved.
Political role on campuses
Arguments for campus elections
Adhikari presented student politics as an important route to leadership and spoke of a possible return of campus elections.
Reasons for suspension and unresolved concerns
He criticised ideological opponents and called for what he described as the systematic elimination of certain forces; the article does not provide responses from those he criticised.
- Speaker
- Suvendu Adhikari, chief minister of West Bengal
- Possible timing
- Next year; no formal schedule has been announced
- Event
- National conference of medical students organised by ABVP
- Venue
- RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata
- Status of campus polls
- Student union elections have been suspended in the state for several years
- Earlier justification
- The previous state government cited difficulties following the COVID-19 pandemic
- Court action
- The Calcutta High Court ordered college and university student unions dissolved
- Outstanding details
- Notification, eligibility criteria and election framework remain unannounced