The CPI(M) is likely to retain its majority in the Syndicate of the University of Calicut when elections to 13 posts in the body will be held in a month or so. However, the Congress, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), and the BJP too have reportedly begun efforts to ensure their representation in it.
In the Syndicate, there are government-nominated members along with ex-officio members such as the Vice-Chancellor and other government officials. The others are elected from among the over 100 Senate members through a preferential voting system. Of this, the election to pick a student representative is held separately. The previous Syndicate had 11 elected pro-Left members, while two others belonged to the IUML. The Congress failed to get any of its candidates elected to the body. One seat remained vacant.
This time, the elections are significant because Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, also the Chancellor of the university, has nominated nine persons close to the Sangh Parivar to the Senate. This could lead to at least one member affiliated to the Sangh Parivar getting elected to the Syndicate.
