The RSS-affiliated ABVP on Saturday won three out of the four key posts, while the Congress’ student wing NSUI bagged one, in the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections that were held on Friday.

Tushar Dedha of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) won the post of DUSU president, defeating NSUI’s Hitesh Gulia. The Congress student wing’s Abhi Dahiya bagged the post of vice-president. ABVP’s Aparajita and Sachin Baisla won the posts of secretary and joint secretary, respectively.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to X and said ABVP’s victory reflects the faith of the youths in the ideology that puts national interests first.

“Hearty congratulations to all the workers of the Council on the landslide victory of ABVP in the Delhi University Students Union elections,” Shah wrote.

“This victory reflects the faith of the young generation in the ideology that puts national interest first. I have full confidence that the workers of the ABVP will continue to work with determination to keep the ideals of Swami Vivekananda and the spirit of nationalism alive among the youth, he wrote.

BJP national president JP Nadda wrote, “Inspired by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, ABVP has always kindled a flame of nationalism and selfless service in the hearts of our youth. I congratulate all the karyakartas of ABVP for their emphatic victory in DUSU Election 2023. This triumph shows the ubiquitous acceptance of the ideology of ‘nation first’ among our young generation, who will shape our nation’s tomorrow.”

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Following the win, Dedha told news agency ANI that to get metro concession passes for the students of Delhi University.

The counting of votes for the DUSU’s central panel posts of president, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary concluded on Saturday evening. A total of 24 candidates were in the fray for the four posts this year.

As polling got over, chief election officer for the polls Chander Shekhar said that the university recorded a voter turnout of 42 per cent.

In the 2019 elections as well, the ABVP had won three of the four seats. The DUSU elections were last held in 2019. The polls could not be held in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 while possible disruptions to the academic calendar prevented their conduct in 2022.

The election issues ranged from fee hikes to lack of affordable accommodations to menstrual leaves.

Apart from the ABVP and Congress-affiliated NSUI, CPI(M)-backed Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the CPI(ML)-Liberation-linked All India Students’ Association (AISA) had also fielded candidates for all four central posts.