By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
With Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections just around the corner, the final list of candidates for the four central panel posts was released on Thursday, setting the stage for a four-way contest among key student organisations.
The updated list features 20 candidates, including seven women, down from 73, after a wave of withdrawals between Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon. Eight students are contesting for the president’s position, three for vice-president, four for secretary, and five for joint secretary.
The DUSU central panel is currently split between the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), with each holding two posts. The incumbent president is from NSUI.
In a move that NSUI described as “a step towards empowering women in student politics”, the organisation has fielded Joslyn Nandita Choudhary as its presidential candidate.
No hollow slogans
A member of NSUI since 2019, Ms. Joslyn has been vocal on issues of women’s rights, campus safety, and student representation.“NSUI stands firm on providing students not hollow slogans, but concrete solutions to their everyday problems,” the organisation said.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-backed ABVP’s presidential pick Aryan Maan is a Hansraj College graduate currently pursuing a degree in Library Science. Mr. Maan said his campaign will focus on opposing fee hikes and developing essential campus facilities. “From the very first day of my admission, I began to understand the real challenges faced by students. As the candidate for DUSU president, I am committed to raising genuine student concerns throughout my campaign,” he said.
‘Flag student issues’
Also in the fray is Divyanshu Singh Yadav, fielded by the Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP), the Aam Aadmi Party’s recently rebranded student wing. A former NSUI member, Mr. Yadav said he shifted to ASAP as mainstream student groups “ignore issues faced by students from Purvanchal”.
“My top priority will be to ensure construction of a new hostel within one month of being elected,” he said, citing challenges faced by outstation students, particularly around accommodation.
Fight against FYUP
The Left-backed Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students’ Association (AISA) have announced a joint panel, fielding two candidates each. They aim to “amplify the aspirations of common students”.
Anjali, an AISA leader and presidential candidate from the panel, has been at the forefront of student protests, including against the 2023 harassment incident at Indraprastha College for Women. “If voted to power, I will continue the fight against the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP), dilution of syllabus, and inactive Internal Complaints Committees,” she said. Voting in the earegly awaited elections is scheduled for September 18, and student outfits are expected to release their manifestos in the coming days.
