Odisha Chief Minister Urges Student Leaders to Foster Positive Change After Peaceful Campus Elections

Bhubaneswar, October 18 (Daily Kiran) : Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi addressed student leaders on Sunday, encouraging them to combat negative propaganda spread by disruptive elements. His remarks came during the “Youth Leaders Conference” held at the Cuttack Indoor Stadium, where he congratulated representatives who won the recent campus elections on October 15.

Majhi criticized the previous Biju Janata Dal-led government for postponing elections for nearly a decade, which he said stifled the democratic process on campuses. He pointed out that despite having a background in student politics, the then-ruling party’s leaders remained silent and failed to challenge decisions made by their own party.

He recounted that when they decided to hold elections, they faced pressure to delay them, citing a supposedly unfavorable environment. However, the elections were conducted smoothly and peacefully across the state, demonstrating the student community’s resilience against past violence.

The Chief Minister highlighted the historic victory of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Odisha, likening it to successes in Delhi University, and emphasized that this reflects youth support for Prime Minister Modi’s development policies.

Majhi advised student leaders that their victory should not lead to arrogance but should mark the beginning of a significant responsibility. He stressed that leadership extends beyond politics to addressing issues in education, housing, and sports, ensuring that government welfare schemes reach every student.

He urged student leaders to coordinate with college authorities to maintain violence-free and drug-free campuses. The Chief Minister called on all young representatives to counteract baseless propaganda undermining the constitutional framework of the country and to uphold the ideals of “knowledge, character, and unity” to contribute to a prosperous Odisha.