The differences between the ruling and opposition parties over the appointment of deans and campus chiefs was reflected even in the senate meeting of the Tribhuvan University on Thursday.

While the Free Student Union leaders affiliated to the ruling CPN-UML criticised vice-chancellor Keshar Jung Baral’s attempt to appoint the deans and campus chiefs based on “meritocracy,” those associated with the main opposition CPN (Maoist Centre) defended him.

Appointments of deans at eight institutes including in the medicine and engineering has been delayed as the UML and its student leaders are opposed to Baral’s proposal of appointing those listed in the first rank among the three.

Then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had in February appointed Baral as the vice-chancellor even though he was second in the number after Chitra Bahadur Budhathoki.

The UML’s student leaders have claimed that Baral, who became the vice-chancellor despite being recommended in the second number, is trying to fill the vacant positions with people loyal to him in the name of appointing only those ranked the first. They have also questioned the transparency of the recommendation process, claiming Baral was intervening in the selection process though it falls under the rector’s jurisdiction.

“What kind of meritocracy are you talking about when you are working to appoint only your people?” Biraj Aryal, Free Student Union (FSU) chairperson from Pulchowk Engineering College who is close to the UML, said in the senate meeting. He even accused Baral of resorting to media trials by accusing the UML of obstructing the appointment.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who was chairing the senate as chancellor, also sounded critical as he said the media has been manipulated to falsely claim that he had interfered in the selection process. “It is always good to maintain meritocracy in the appointment but it must be genuine. There should be no drama in the name of meritocracy,” Oli said. “There has been no interference from my side against what the media have claimed. However, I have insisted on meritocracy in the true sense. Isn't this my duty to tell the vice-chancellor so?”

However, Bishnu Dhungel, FSU chairperson from Nepal Law Campus from the Maoist Centre-affiliated All Nepal National Independent Student Union (Revolutionary), came in Baral’s defence claiming those in power were attacking Baral who was appointed as the vice-chancellor fulfilling due process. “Why is the vice-chancellor being attacked in an organised manner?” he said. “He was appointed to the position on merit.”

Baral is working to appoint 18 campus chiefs from various parts of the country after completing the dean’s appointment. “I am for appointing those ranked first to avoid the accusation that the second ranked, like myself, got the appointment,” said Baral.

During the meeting, Oli directed the university leadership to fill the vacant dean’s position on grounds of merit by December 22. The next senate meeting has been called for that day. It will endorse the grace list for the upcoming convocation.

The UML leadership has openly come against Baral saying he wants the Maoist Centre loyalists to get appointed as deans under the guise of meritocracy. Talking to Facebook on Tuesday, UML general secretary Shankar Pokharel wrote, “ Tribhuvan University's vice-chancellor, Baral, is engrossed in a plan to select the academic leadership of the university in a way that represents the political power (who appointed him to the position), all under the guise of meritocracy. He has cloaked it in the name of meritocracy. And the Maoist supporters close to him are vigorously endorsing and praising this drama.”

Earlier this week, the leaders of the UML-affiliated All Nepal National Free Student Union had handed over a memorandum to Baral warning him of “negative consequences” if the appointments are made unilaterally.

Like the Maoist Centre, the Rastriya Swatantra Party has also come forward in defence of Baral. Issuing a statement on Thursday, the party’s acting general secretary Kabindra Burlakoti claimed that some parties and their sister wings were resorting to political interference in the universities. “The Rastriya Swantantra Party has, from the time of its establishment, been advocating for the appointments in the universities based on competency and capability,” the statement reads. “Political interference in the appointment in academic institutions is an unpardonable crime.”