New Delhi: In a resounding comeback, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has swept the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections for 2025, clinching three out of four key posts in a 3-1 triumph over the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI).
This victory marks a stark reversal from last year’s results, where NSUI had broken a seven-year drought to secure the president and joint secretary positions.
The spotlight shone brightly on ABVP’s Aryan Man, who stormed to the presidency with a staggering margin of 16,196 votes against NSUI’s Joslin Nandita Chaudhary – one of the widest gaps in a decade for the top post. Aryan garnered overwhelming support, while Joslin managed only 12,645 votes, and a rebel candidate, Umansi Lamba, finished third with 5,522 ballots.
ABVP also bagged the secretary and joint secretary roles through Kunal Chaudhary and Deepika Jha, who outmanoeuvred NSUI’s Kabir and Lavkush Bhadaana. NSUI’s sole consolation came in the vice-president slot, where Rahul Jhansla edged out ABVP’s Govind Tanwar.
Behind NSUI’s crushing defeat lies a tale of self-inflicted wounds. Internal rifts crippled the Congress-backed outfit, with Umansi Lamba’s defection after being overlooked for the presidential ticket proving costly. Having prepared for seven years, Umansi ran independently, splintering votes that might have bolstered Joslin.
Broader organisational cracks surfaced too, including reported clashes between NSUI national president Varun Chaudhary and in-charge Kanhaiya Kumar over candidate picks – tensions that echoed after ABVP’s recent win in Punjab University polls. Even NSUI’s push on women’s issues, like promising 12 menstrual leave days per semester, failed to rally female voters effectively, leaving the party exposed.
Adding a layer of intrigue was the shadow rivalry between Rajasthan heavyweights Sachin Pilot and Hanuman Beniwal. Congress leader Pilot campaigned vigorously for fellow Rajasthani Joslin, while Rashtriya Loktantrik Party chief Beniwal backed Umansi. Yet, this high-stakes ‘election war’ fizzled out inconclusively as both protégés fell short, underscoring how national politics often spills into campus battles with mixed results.
ABVP’s organisational prowess shone through, capitalising on NSUI’s disarray to reclaim dominance. As Delhi University’s student body gears up for a new term, this poll highlights the volatile mix of ideology, ambition, and regional ties in youth politics.
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