Campus Polls / Odisha CM Hails Return of Campus Democracy, Congratulates Student Leaders at Young Leaders Conclave 2026

Kataka, Oct 18: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday lauded the successful conduct of student union elections in the State after a gap of nearly a decade, describing the exercise as a reaffirmation of democratic values and youth leadership.

Addressing newly elected student representatives at the "Young Leaders Conclave 2026" held at the Indoor Stadium in Kataka, the Chief Minister congratulated winners from colleges and universities across Odisha and urged them to view their electoral success as a responsibility rather than an achievement to celebrate.

Criticism of previous regime

CM Majhi alleged that the previous government had suspended student union elections since 2017, effectively halting democratic processes on campuses. He said even leaders who had themselves emerged from student politics remained silent when elections were discontinued.

The Chief Minister claimed there were attempts to discourage the revival of campus polls on the grounds that the national atmosphere was not conducive and that the younger generation was disillusioned. However, he said the State government fulfilled its promise by conducting elections peacefully and in an orderly manner across Odisha.

Message to student representatives

Urging student leaders to become agents of positive change, CM Majhi said their role extends beyond campus politics. He called on them to work towards resolving student issues related to education, hostels and sports, while also helping fellow students access government welfare schemes.

The Chief Minister stressed the need to keep campuses free from violence and substance abuse through cooperation with educational institutions. He also appealed to student representatives to counter misinformation through positive engagement and contribute towards building a developed Odisha based on the ideals of knowledge, character and unity.
Also Read: ABVP Dominates Odisha Campus Polls, Wins Majority of Student Union Seats

ABVP’s performance highlighted

CM Majhi further stated that the electoral outcome, particularly the strong performance of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), reflected the confidence of the youth in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development agenda. He described the resumption of student elections after eight to nine years as the fulfilment of a key promise made by the government.