NEW DELHI: Candidates for the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) election filed their nominations on Thursday, kickstarting the process for polls that were not held for three years.
Out of a total of 97 nominations, 95 have been approved. There were 28 nominations for president of which one was rejected. Similarly, of 21 nominations received for the post of general secretary, one has been rejected. Besides, 24 nominations each have been received for the posts of secretary and vice-president so far.
The excitement was palpable on the campus because of the elections after the hiatus that started because of the pandemic.
DUSU has usually been a three-corner election fought among RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Left-leaning All India Students Association (AISA).
AISA has declared its candidates. Three of the four in the fray are women. The other two will declare their final lists on Friday, following the withdrawal process.
The election is scheduled for September 22. Students will elect a union president, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary. The date and venue for vote counting are yet to be announced.
All eligible students who have not been issued identity cards would be allowed to vote if they produce a duly verified fee receipt along with one of the following IDs — Voter ID, Aadhaar card, Pan card.
Campaign fever has gripped North Campus.
NSUI will release two manifestos. “This time, we have decided to release two manifestos – one for overall university-related issues and the other for women's safety and other problems faced by them. We are also planning to hold a mega padayatra as part of our campaign,” an NSUI member said.
ABVP has sought online suggestions from students for its manifesto. Ashutosh Singh, the national media convenor of ABVP, told TOI: “Our manifesto will focus on infrastructure development, construction of new hostels, women’s security and sports facilities on the university premises.”
AISA and Students Federation of India (SFI) have released their manifestos and are in talks for an alliance against ABVP.
“AISA has taken a very clear line. This election is not a normal election. It is a referendum on FYUP. If you vote for AISA you are voting against this system. Our stand is that any political force that is not against FYUP is not eligible to contest the elections. After the lockdown, the government has made this university into something that is only a shadow of what it used to be,” said Abhigyan, the president of AISA Delhi.
In 2019, ABVP won three seats — DUSU president, vice-president and joint secretary. NSUI won the secretary post.
The once quiet lane leading to the campus has heavy security and had become a one-way street on Thursday. Supporters were ready with garlands in their hands for the candidates to exit the conference room after the nomination submissions and scrutiny.
Then, in an unexpected twist, a fierce exchange erupted between two candidates from opposing parties. The students, far from alarmed, roared with excitement. They hooted, cheered and applauded as if they were watching a thrilling match, while security officials swiftly intervened to restore order.
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