Vadodara: Unlike the political push and pull that it had witnessed last time, the countdown to the forthcoming syndicate elections at M S University has remained a silent affair this time.
But the ruling group that enjoys a majority in both the syndicate and senate bodies of the university is still unlikely to enjoy a ‘samras’ (uncontested election) this year.
Syndicate elections for 14 out of 15 seats of elected representatives are scheduled on February 25. The ruling group already has the seat representing head of the department (HoD) in its kitty after Satyajit Chaudhary won the poll uncontested.
The poll battle now remains for the two seats representing deans of faculties, one representing principal of the constituent college, five teachers (other than deans, HoDs and principals) and six persons who are neither teachers nor employees nor students of the university or of college.
For quite some time, deans, principals and even teachers have hardly remained vocal or critical about the affairs within the university system or the group that directly or indirectly controls the appointment and selection processes.
So, all eyes are focused on the six seats in the general category. Sources said that after the ruling group witnessed a cakewalk in the battle for the one seat representing HoDs, it was expecting a similar outcome in other categories.
But from February 8 onwards as many as 150 nomination forms have been picked up by wannabe candidates and their supporters. It is worth mentioning here that February 17 is the last date of receiving nominations while scrutiny of the nomination papers will be held on the same day.
A candidate can withdraw his or her candidature at any time before the voting takes place by a letter addressed to the registrar which must reach him an hour before the election time.