Parasher virtually out of NU VC race?

Former pro-vice chancellor and one of the favourites for the coveted vice-chancellor's post, Gauri Shankar Parasher is virtually out of contention after failing to get a presentation call from the search panel, sources told TOI. Interestingly, another contender, director of Nagpur University's centre for women's studies, Nilima Deshmukh, who claimed to have got the invitation, also fell out of favour.

Though Parasher refused to comment despite repeated attempts, sources attributed his downfall to his close links with alleged criminals, including Sunil Mishra, who is one of the convicts in the infamous Kohchade scam which rocked the 87-year-old institution in 1999. Parasher was also accused of shielding criminals for which he was summoned to the chancellor's office in Mumbai along with former VC, SN Pathan.

Initially, Parasher lied to TOI. He said that he had not applied for the post. However, sources disclosed that Parasher submitted his application in person to Shrikrishna Deva Rao, the registrar of National Law School, Delhi. Rao is the public relations officer for the VC's selection process.

Parasher's application number was 77. It was delivered on October 16. Even Rao refused to comment on the issue. He said former chief justice of Delhi high court, AP Shah, who is heading the panel, is the right authority to talk to. The only information Rao gave was that 16 candidates have been invited to Mumbai University's management council hall on December 19 to give their presentations.

Sources informed that apart from his closeness with criminals, Parasher's outburst against a particular community had invited the wrath of council members. Letters to MLAs criticising the government for the mess in higher education backfired on Parasher. The public representatives ganged up against him and complained to the government. Though his administration was good, Parasher's arrogant behaviour and foul-mouthed language sealed his fate.

Meanwhile, after lying initially, Deshmukh confirmed that she was yet to receive the letter. "Rao told me that my letter has been dispatched," she said.

Five candidates from Nagpur have got calls. They are officiating pro-VC Arvind Chaudhary who had earlier lied about his application, physics HoD SS Bhoga, biotechnology HoD Sudhir Meshram, geology HoD Pradip Kundal and former Hindi HoD Yadnya Prasad Tiwari.

HoD in chemical technology in Amravati university, VS Sapkal also got a call along with Arun Sawant who is the acting VC of Rajasthan University but is basically from Mumbai. Three candidates from Kolhapur, two from Mumbai and one each from Nanded and Jalgaon too got call, sources informed.