In a significant development, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), emerged victorious in three central panel posts in the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections held on September 23. The elections saw a heated competition between various student union groups, including ABVP, All India Students Association (AISA), Students Federation of India (SFI), and the National Students Union of India (NSUI).
Key Takeaways:
- Tushar Dedha of the ABVP secured the position of DUSU President, defeating NSUI’s Hitesh Gulia.
- Abhi Dahiya, from the Congress student wing, won the post of Vice-President.
- Aparajita and Sachin Baisla from the ABVP clinched the positions of Secretary and Joint Secretary, respectively.
- Chander Shekhar, the Chief Election Officer, reported a 42% voter turnout among the eligible one lakh students.
The DUSU elections have historically been dominated by a direct contest between the ABVP and the NSUI. This year’s victory for ABVP echoes their success in 2019 when they secured three out of four seats.
While the 2019 elections proceeded smoothly, those in 2020 and 2021 were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and disruptions to the academic calendar prevented elections in 2022.
The voter turnout, while higher than in 2019, fell short of the nearly 11-year-high seen in 2018 when it reached 44.46%. In 2017, the turnout was 42.8%.
The central panel elections across 52 colleges and departments were conducted using electronic voting machines (EVMs), while college union polls relied on paper ballots. Student concerns ranged from addressing fee hikes and affordable accommodations to improving security during college events and introducing menstrual leaves.
In the 2019 elections, Akshit Dahiya, backed by ABVP, was elected President, Pradeep Tanwar secured the Vice-President position, and Shinvangi Kharwal became the Joint Secretary of the students’ union.
This year’s election outcome reaffirms ABVP’s influence in the student political landscape at Delhi University, while NSUI retains its presence with the Vice-President’s post.
Summary:
- ABVP, affiliated with RSS, wins three central panel posts in DUSU elections.
- ABVP’s Tushar Dedha is elected DUSU President.
- Abhi Dahiya from Congress student wing becomes Vice-President.
- Voter turnout stands at 42%, surpassing 2019 but falling short of 2018’s high.
- Key student concerns include fee hikes, affordable accommodations, and menstrual leaves.