NSUI secures key positions in PU students’ union polls

Patna: Even though the Congress performed poorly in the state assembly elections held in Nov, winning only six seats in the 243-member House, its student wing, the National Student Union of India (NSUI), delivered an impressive performance in the Patna University Students’ Union (PUSU) elections, the results of which were announced late Saturday night.NSUI-backed candidates secured the two key posts of president and general secretary. The student wing of the ruling BJP, ABVP, which had captured the top positions last year, won the posts of joint secretary and treasurer this time. The vice-president’s post was claimed by an independent candidate.According to PUSU records, NSUI has won the president’s post after a gap of about 42 years. Earlier, NSUI candidates Shambhu Kumar Sharma and Anil Kumar Sharma were elected president in 1984 and 1980 respectively.Expressing satisfaction over the outcome, Congress leader and former NSUI president Prem Chandra Mishra said students of Patna University have realised that the present ruling dispensation is working against their interests by exploiting their merit and leaving them unemployed for years. “They have developed faith in the leadership of Rahul Gandhi,” said Mishra.NSUI candidate Shantanu Shekhar was elected president, defeating his nearest rival Prince Kumar of Chhatra JD(U) by a margin of 1,496 votes. Shekhar secured 2,896 votes, while Kumar polled 1,400. Khushi Kumari of NSUI won the general secretary’s post, defeating Pratyush Raj of Chhatra RJD by 553 votes.Abhishek Kumar of ABVP was elected joint secretary, defeating his nearest rival by 422 votes, polling 2,173 against 1,751. Harshvardhan of ABVP was declared elected treasurer. Independent candidate Shifat Faiz won the vice-president’s post by 71 votes.Despite a rise in female voters, only two women secured key posts this year. No candidate from the student wings of RJD or JD(U) won.