The English Press Club interviewed Ashish Kumar Cheruku, one of the three candidates contending for the position of General Secretary. 

Hailing from Karimnagar, Telangana, Ashish is a third-year student pursuing a dual degree in MSc Economics and B.E. Manufacturing. He was the team captain for his school’s football team and is a fan of the sport. He asserted that he developed leadership skills through his involvement in sports, which he claims improves his ability in the role.

He explained that he applied for the General Secretary position because he considered himself to be more of an executive than a visionary, the latter of which would be a quality more valued in a President. He believes the General Secretary to be more involved with students’ affairs at the grassroots.

Ashish’s camp mainly includes the friends he made during his freshman year at BITS and his current wing. He said that his manifesto was mostly inspired by the difficulties he saw students facing. Additionally, he said that while it would be challenging to carry out every aspect of his manifesto during a single term, he would make every effort to do so. 

He replied that he could not draw a perfect person to fill the position when asked what characteristics the perfect General Secretary would have. He claimed that since everyone has unique qualifications and approaches students in different ways, finding the “ideal candidate” for the position was impossible.

Ashish explained that he was inspired by the previous office-bearers. He claimed that because BITSians have similar mindsets, we can learn from former General Secretaries. In addition, he is open to criticism and suggestions regarding his own ideas. He also stated that he would not be able to bring about revolutions in a single term, but he would try to implement things more efficiently than those who came before him. 

All three candidates are equally qualified to win the election, he said in a comment on the nature of the contest. It is impossible to predict the outcome, he said, adding that there is a fair amount of competition for the position.

He believes that there should be a clear distinction between the administration and the Students’ Union. He concluded by saying that since the Students’ Union serves as the voice of the student body, it is important to pick representatives carefully.