New Delhi, 19 Sept

The RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) secured a decisive victory in the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections, winning three key posts, including the crucial president’s position, while the Congress-backed NSUI managed only one post.

ABVP’s Aryan Maan won the president’s post, defeating NSUI candidate Joslyn Nandita Choudhary by a margin of 16,196 votes. NSUI’s Rahul Jhansla claimed the vice president’s post with 29,339 votes, beating ABVP’s Govind Tanwar, who polled 20,547 votes.

Kunal Chaudhary of ABVP won the secretary’s post by defeating NSUI’s Kabir with 23,779 votes. ABVP’s Deepika Jha secured the joint secretary’s post, defeating Lavkush Bhadana by over 4,000 votes.

The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students’ Association (AISA) drew a blank in this high-octane contest. Counting was conducted under tight security at the Delhi University Sports Centre in North Campus.

Maan, the newly elected president, expressed confidence in fulfilling the promises made during his campaign, including providing metro concessional passes and improving training equipment for university athletes. He urged supporters to celebrate peacefully, adhering to a Delhi High Court order prohibiting victory processions. “We will remain connected with students throughout the year and work tirelessly for their welfare,” he said.

ABVP’s Kunal Chaudhary and Deepika Jha thanked voters for their support and assured students of their continued commitment to addressing their concerns. Jha highlighted her six-year effort culminating in this win, emphasising recognition from the student community.

NSUI national president Varun Choudhary praised the efforts of his candidates despite challenging circumstances. “Thousands of DU students stood with us. Win or lose, NSUI will continue fighting for students and their issues,” he said, congratulating newly elected vice president Rahul Jhansla.

The ABVP’s strong performance drew praise from BJP president JP Nadda, who lauded the youth for embracing the message of “Nation First.” In a post on X, he said the victory reflects the influence of Swami Vivekananda’s ideals and the growing nationalist sentiment among the student community. “This victory shows that today’s young generation will lead India towards a bright and strong future,” Nadda added.

The 2024 DUSU elections had seen NSUI winning the president’s post after a seven-year gap, while ABVP retained the secretary’s post and secured the vice president’s position. This year, ABVP strengthened its hold, securing three of the four key posts, signalling a shift in student political dynamics at Delhi University.