The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) won three of the four key posts in the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections on Saturday, with BJP leaders hailing the results as a strong indication of support for the organisation among university students.
The BJP-backed ABVP won the posts of President, Secretary and Joint Secretary, while the Vice-President's post was secured by an independent candidate. The Congress-backed National Students' Union of India (NSUI) did not win any of the four posts.
ABVP's Yash Dabas defeated NSUI candidate Vijay Shankar Meena for the President's post by a margin of 2,053 votes. Dabas secured 24,576 votes, while Meena polled 22,523 votes.
Independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen won the Vice-President's post, while ABVP's Riya Chhawadi was elected Secretary and Lakshyaraj Singh won the Joint Secretary's post.
BJP National President Nitin Nabin congratulated ABVP on its victory and said the result reflected what he described as the youth's faith in "positive and constructive student politics" and the "Nation First" approach.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated the ABVP team, saying the victory reflected the youth's faith in the "Nation First" policy. He said he was confident that ABVP would continue working for student interests, national service and nation-building.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also welcomed the results, saying the DUSU represents students from across the country and that ABVP's victory was significant.
BJP leaders also targeted the Congress and Rahul Gandhi while reacting to the results. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari described the outcome as a rejection of what he called "Jhooth Ki Goonj" and said students had chosen patriotism, development and the vision of a "Viksit Bharat 2047".
The BJP also highlighted ABVP's performance in North Campus, which includes colleges such as Shri Ram College of Commerce, Hindu College, Hansraj College, Kirori Mal College, Ramjas College and the Faculty of Law.
Polling for the DUSU elections was held on Friday across 52 polling centres. According to data, voter turnout stood at 40.46 per cent, the highest recorded in the past three years. Last year's turnout was 39.5 per cent.
The DUSU election results come amid continued political contestation between ABVP and NSUI, the student wings associated with the BJP and Congress respectively.
