New Delhi: Electors at the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) polls appeared to ignore Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to invoke the youth over an alleged “vote chori” narrative, choosing three Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) candidates out of four central posts.
Voters also dismissed the Congress-affiliated student union’s promise of a ‘Mohabbat ki Dukaan’—a shop of love—on the campus, which aimed to promote unity, love, and respect for all. The concept of ‘Mohabbat ki Dukaan’ was another initiative from Rahul Gandhi, who accused the ruling party of spreading hatred in the country. However, this message failed to neutralize the ABVP’s broader sweep on Friday.
In a decisive victory, the RSS-affiliated student organization reclaimed the president’s post, along with those of the secretary and joint secretary. The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress party, managed to retain only the vice president’s post. This result reversed the partial gains NSUI had made in the previous polls.
The outcome reflects the ABVP’s strong organizational reach, its campaign focus on basic campus issues, and its popularity over political insinuations. The DUSU election results largely mirror national political alignments. The ABVP is often viewed as an extension of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) mobilization on campuses, and this sweep signals robust campus penetration for organizations linked to the ruling national coalition. It also suggests a recalibration of student political sentiment in Delhi’s colleges.
The results reset the student-political competitive balance following NSUI’s partial comeback in 2024, when it won two of the four central posts. ABVP’s extensive organizational network and campus presence translated into more effective voter contact and logistical coordination. Its pledge to address everyday campus concerns appears to have resonated with pragmatic student interests.
While NSUI promised free Wi-Fi services, safety measures, hostel welfare, and special leave facilities for girls, the ABVP presidential candidate’s manifesto included subsidized metro passes, free Wi-Fi across campus, accessibility audits for persons with disabilities, and improved sports facilities.
The result intensifies the ABVP–NSUI rivalry on campus. The winning ABVP president and his allies are expected to produce promised outcomes in the shortest time possible, while NSUI will focus on building pressure and consolidating its position ahead of the next election.
The campus continues to serve as a key recruitment ground for national parties. Friday’s outcome strengthens the ABVP, enabling it to replenish allied cadres at municipal and state levels. Meanwhile, NSUI will reassess its strategies to reclaim lost ground in future elections.
*Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/delhi-university-students-union-elections-2025-abvp-sweeps-dusu-polls-rahul-gandhis-appeals-fall-flat
