Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday addressed newly elected student union representatives at the Kataka Indoor Stadium during the Young Leaders Conclave 2026, describing the return of campus elections after nearly a decade as a clear triumph of democratic faith over fear.
Speaking to the gathering of young leaders, CM Majhi noted that the previous regime had banned student polls in 2017. He contrasted that decision with his government’s choice to restore the process, even as some voices urged delay over concerns that “Gen Z is upset.” The elections, he said, were conducted peacefully, in a disciplined manner, and produced a decisive mandate.
Majhi highlighted the historic victory of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) across Odisha, drawing a parallel with similar outcomes at Delhi University. He presented the results as firm evidence that the state’s youth stand resolutely behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of development.
The Chief Minister used the occasion to set expectations for the newly elected representatives. Winning, he told them, is not a moment for arrogance but the start of hard work and solemn responsibility. True leadership, he said, means serving fellow students, resolving academic and hostel issues, taking an unyielding pledge to keep campuses drug-free, and countering malicious narratives with positive engagement. He framed the student leaders as nation-builders working toward a prosperous, developed Odisha.
The resumption of student union elections marks a significant shift in campus politics in Odisha. By emphasising peaceful conduct and youth alignment with the broader development agenda, the government is positioning the process as both a democratic restoration and a mandate for its policy priorities.
The newly elected leaders now face the practical task of translating their electoral success into concrete improvements in student life and campus governance.
