He further said: 'Our leader will interact with NSUI members in the university, the interaction may be at the university canteen or under the shadow of a tree in the university complex.'

Though the BJP government has chosen to remain silent over the issue, its youth wing, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), has backed the university administration decision.

'Educational institutions should not be allowed to be used for political purposes as it will affect the educational atmosphere. I don't oppose Rahul Gandhi's function but am surely against politicians' functions in schools, colleges and universities,' Sanjay Srivastava, state president, BJYM, told the media.

Sources in Congress said that they will try to persuade Gandhi to interact with NSUI members in the university complex whether the university administration agrees or not.