Undemocratic to cancel students' union polls: SP

The Samajwadi Party Wednesday termed "undemocratic" the postponement of students' union polls in Deen Dayal Upadhyay University, Gorakhpur, and said the ruling BJP was "afraid" of facing another defeat after losing the Lok Sabha by-election in the city.

The election was set to be held on Thursday, but had to be postponed after two groups clashed on the campus of the state-run university during campaigning Tuesday.

Officials said the campus has been closed for two days.

"It seems after tasting defeat in Gorakhpur parliamentary by-election, some persons are afraid of defeat in students' union polls too. That is why polls have been cancelled. This is a proof of accepting defeat before elections. It is undemocratic to take away the democratic rights of students," SP chief Akhilesh Yadav told reporters.

In March, the BJP lost the Lok Sabha bypoll in Gorakhpur, the seat which was with the party since 1989,