Bhubaneswar, Oct. 16 -- The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) emerged as the leading force in Odisha's student union elections, winning in seven of the state's 13 universities, including Utkal University, as the first campus polls in eight years saw the BJD's student wing, Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD), secure victories in four universities.

The results were mixed in the remaining two universities, while voter turnout remained poor, with polling in some universities, such as Berhampur University, recording less than 10% participation.

The elections, held on Thursday, saw intense campaigning and mobilisation of first-time voters, with the ABVP and BCJD locked in a keen contest across campuses. The exercise also saw clashes, alle...