- NSUI lost all DUSU seats, first time since 2015.
- ABVP secured President, Secretary, and Joint Secretary posts.
- Defeat triggers debate on Congress's student politics connection.
Nemish Hemant, New Delhi: Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has been stepping up his outreach to the country’s youth with students being at the centre of the focus. On Saturday, he was in Indore for the "Chhatraon Ki Goonj" programme. But just an hour before the event began, a message arrived from Delhi that delivered a setback - the Congress’ student wing was defeated for the first time in 11 years in the Delhi University Students’ Union Election with all four of its candidates losing. The result has triggered a wider debate over the Congress’ connection with student politics.
Hopes of a wave of change in DU were dashed, and saffron flags were seen everywhere. For the first time since 2015, National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) failed to win a single seat, despite its campaign-time claim that it would sweep all four positions. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) won three seats, a single fourth went to an independent.
ABVP secured three key panel positions, including President, Secretary, and Joint Secretary. Yash Dabas won the presidential contest with 21,109 votes, defeating NSUI’s Vijay Shankar Meena (20,554 votes) by a margin of 555 votes.
In the Vice Presidential race, independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen secured a decisive victory with 27,501 votes, establishing a lead of 12,995 votes.
ABVP’s Riya Chhawadi secured the Secretary post with 18,366 votes, winning by a margin of 4,915 votes over NSUI’s Namrata Choudhary, who polled 13,451 votes.
In a closely contested battle for Joint Secretary, ABVP’s Lakshya Raj Singh won with 14,182 votes, narrowly defeating independent candidate Vichesh Yadav (14,045 votes) and NSUI’s Gopal Choudhary (13,829 votes).
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Similar Results In 2014 And 2015
Previously, similar results were achieved in the DUSU elections in 2014 and 2015, when the central government had changed hands and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a significant influence on students. But this time, claims were being made of a shift in student sentiment. This isn't just a Delhi-specific message; NSUI's performance was disappointing in many universities and colleges across the country.
NSUI's Performance In Other States
NSUI suffered a crushing defeat in dozens of colleges affiliated with Gujarat University, MS University (Vadodara), and South Gujarat University. The Students' Council defeated NSUI in Himachal Pradesh University and more than 60 per cent of the state colleges.
This trend was also seen in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, as well as in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Even in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the NSUI put forth a disappointing performance.
BJP Takes 'No Goonj' Jibe At Rahul Gandhi
Several BJP leaders used the outcome to target Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his youth outreach campaign. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "This victory reflects the unwavering trust of the youth in the council's ideology of 'Nation First' and its commitment to student welfare. I am fully confident that the council’s workers, drawing new energy from this victory and following the ideals of Swami Vivekananda Ji, will continue to relentlessly advance the cause of student interests and nation-building."
Taking a direct jab at the Congress, BJP National Media Co-convener Sidharth Yadav said that students of Delhi University "handed a big fat zero to Rahul Gandhi, the Congress party, and their student organisation NSUI."
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also congratulated the winning candidates, stating, "Voice of the Youth is Loud & Clear!!! Hearty congratulations to all Winning Candidates of #ABVP in Delhi University Students' Union Election and its cadres as well as all the well-wishers!