Addressing the media, TFU convener Ashit Verenkar said, “On the day of the election, BJP and its leaders had turned Goa University campus into a political fest with trucks and tempos loaded with loud speakers. This shows (the kind of) respect (they have) for the sanctity of an educational institution.”
He said that at various times students have rejected this brand of student politics and that in 2014 BJP Yuva Morch and in 2015 ABVP fielded candidates against TFU but TFU managed to win decisively. “This year, apprehending a possible poll upset the BJPYM and ABVP didn’t float a panel under its banner and covertly contested under a different banner,” Verenkar said.
TFU said that of the 20 seats they won 19 against the group backed by BJYM, ABVP and NCP. This is the third time the independent students union has retained GUPGSU. “Goa University’s continuous mandate for an independent force has proved that students have shut their doors to political forces in the campus. Students have rejected the front which had hidden support of a political party,” Verenkar said.
He said TFU has fought for students’ rights in the campus and has managed to establish an active Students’ Grievances Cell, internal road linkages in the campus, activate university bus service, fight for fellowship hike, better hostel, mess, library, sports facilities and also pushed Directorate of Student Welfare to increase its funding.
