It's a different look in Maharani's College as poll fever grips campus

JAIPUR: Election fever has gripped Maharani's College, one of the most prestigious institutions in the city, as over 20 candidates are in the fray for the post of president. Every candidate has adopted a different method to reach out to students. If some are relying on the conventional method of meeting students individually, the others are sending bulk messages or using social media to reach out to students.
Neelam Rathore, a final year student, is banking on her large friend base in the college to win the seat. She feels that being regular to college helps her understand issues in a better way rather than those candidates who rarely comes to college. "I am promising a sound academic environment," added Rathore, who is addressing conventional issues like clean drinking water, better labs and hygienic canteen.
Since the session has begun, these students have been actively working to garner support. The day begins with the candidates, armed with posters and banners, displaying their achievements and agenda and making rounds on the campus.
Another candidate, Deepa Kumari, is utilizing time even after classes to reach out to students. She is active on social networking cites by creating a homepage and sending out messages to potential voters.
The campaign is beyond the territorial limits of campus as posters and banners could be seen at many places in the city.
Even incidents of rowdy behaviour have become a common phenomena on the campus. The student leaders had run-ins with principal Anjali Krishnamurthy at least thrice since the session has begun.
The situation has come to such an extent that police are guarding principal's office till classes get over.
In the past, very few girls could gather courage to contest elections even if she was supported by parents. "Demonstrations and protest of this kind is a new phenomena in Maharani's. It reflects eroding values," said a senior professor at college.
Gangaram, a gatekeeper in the college who spends hours on campus observed that the sole aim for contesting elections is to attain fame. "Every day I see how students do protests and demonstrations on non-issues," said Ram.
The college has 8,000 students and plays a crucial role in RU elections. Every contestant contesting RU elections doesn't forget to make rounds at Maharanis.