Mysuru: KPCC spokesperson H.A. Venkatesh has urged the State Government to prioritise students’ interests by shutting down nine Universities established by the previous BJP-led Government, which he alleged were created to auction Vice-Chancellor (VC) posts and embezzle public funds.

Addressing a press meet at Patrakarthara Bhavan, Venkatesh accused BJP of hastily establishing new Universities without providing basic infrastructure, teaching staff or necessary resources.

“The previous Government ignored rules while starting these Universities, causing hardships for Post-Graduate students,” Venkatesh alleged. He further argued that shutting down the nine Universities would be in the best interest of students and  highlighted that running a university for five years requires Rs. 340 crore. This would amount to a total of Rs. 3,400 crore for nine Universities, which he described as an extravagant expense. “It is better to close these nine Universities,” he opined.

He also pointed out that the establishment of these Universities violated the rule requiring a minimum of 100 acres of land for a University. “The BJP Government made no provisions for purchasing land, acquiring vehicles, or constructing new buildings for these institutions,” he said.

City Congress President R. Murthy, former Syndicate member N.S. Gopinath and others were present at the press meet.