Hyderabad HC overrules OU order, says prof can contest Warangal polls

After a long battle, the High Court on Monday granted relief to professor Gali Vinod Kumar, a candidate backed by the Left parties, by permitting him to contest in the Warangal Lok Sabha by-election.

The issue pertains to Osmania University, where the professor works, claiming that he cannot hold his post while contesting the election.

University registrar E Suresh Kumar, told The New Indian Express that, “University rules do not allow Vinod Kumar or any other working employee to contest any election. He must resign from his job if he has to contest elections.”

Vinod Kumar, is a social activist and Ambedkarist, working as principal of PG College of Law (PGCL), Osmania University, Basheergah and is slowly growing in popularity.

The University and the professor are at loggerheads, ever since the Warangal native was chosen as the candidate by the Left parties, who failed to convince revolutionary Gadar to contest.

According to a report in The Hindu:

Prof. Vinod Kumar, had sought permission from the varsity to contest in the elections and also sought leave from October 28 to November 11. However, the varsity citing Rule 16 of the OU Conduct Rules had rejected his application.

The university in its letter also explained that his request can be examined by the Executive Council following the norms of the Election Commission of India, University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Government of Telangana. Moreover, it also warned that he would be placed under suspension if the rules were not followed.

Vinod Kumar then approached the High Court, and challenged the university’s notice.

The professor has blamed chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for university’s stiff stand against him and told TNIE that "The ruling party is afraid of my growing popularity. It failed to convince me to withdraw my nomination. This is nothing but a conspiracy to remove me from the contest."