DUSU elections: On Lyngdoh panel’s Rs 5,000 spending cap, parties find common ground

As per the guidelines drafted in 2006, the maximum permitted expenditure per candidate should not exceed Rs 5,000 – an amount that is too low now, according to the parties.

Speaking to The Indian Express, National Media Convener of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Ashutosh Singh, said, ‘It is impractical for a party to campaign under the expenditure of Rs 5,000 at a university level election… We respectfully request a reconsideration of the expenditure cap established a decade-and-a-half ago as we believe that adapting to current circumstances would be more beneficial for all student organisations involved.’

National Students’ Union of India’s (NSUI) National Secretary Nitish Gaur said, ‘Even if one only takes into account the travel expenditure via public transportation in the city while campaigning, it is impractical for candidates to cap their campaigning expenditure under Rs 5,000.’

Students’ Federation of India’s (SFI) former president Sumit Kataria, who is helping manage this year’s elections, said the party is working with limited resources. ‘I believe Lyngdoh committee’s spending limit should be raised because of the sheer number of colleges across DU. Even if one travels by Metro to reach different colleges and campaign spots every day, the fare could easily reach Rs 5,000,’ Kataria

added.

All India Students’ Association’s (AISA) Delhi President Abhigyan said the Rs 5,000 spending limit was not reasonable. ‘Specifically for DU, it is sort of unrealistic. The limit should be adjusted to match inflation levels… that’s the minimum that the government can do,’ he said.