New Delhi, Sept. 19 -- The Delhi University Students' Union election threw up a result that was not entirely defined by the strength of the two major student organisations. While the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad retained three of the four central-panel posts, independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen won the vice-president's post with a sizeable lead, after entering the contest without an organisational ticket.
ABVP's Yash Dabas was elected president with 24,576 votes, defeating NSUI's Vijay Shankar Meena, who polled 22,523 votes. The margin between the two was 2,053 votes. Riya Chhawdi won the secretary's post with 21,650 votes, while Lakshya Raj Singh secured the joint secretary's position with 16,615 votes.
It was the vice-president's race that departed most clearly from the overall pattern. Shokeen secured 30,615 votes, well ahead of ABVP's Ishu Maurya, who received 16,910 votes. NSUI's Virr Chatrath polled 4,313 votes. Shokeen's margin over Maurya was 13,705 votes.
For NSUI, the result meant a clean sweep of the central-panel posts by its opponents. The organisation had won the vice-president's position in 2025, while ABVP retained the president, secretary and joint secretary posts it had secured last year.
The election was held against a backdrop of concerns over student welfare, particularly hostel accommodation, campus infrastructure and safety. The Jantar Mantar student agitation and the Satya Niketan building collapse earlier this month also remained part of the political context around the polls. The collapse killed seven people, including five Delhi University students, according to the material provided for the election coverage.
Shokeen's campaign had acquired a distinct identity even before the results. He had initially sought an NSUI ticket but was later asked to withdraw, according to his campaign account. On deciding to contest independently, he built his campaign around issues such as hostel facilities, university infrastructure and student concerns.
His decision to campaign barefoot drew particular attention. After the Satya Niketan collapse, Shokeen said he would not wear shoes until justice was delivered to the affected students. He continued the campaign without footwear and was seen barefoot around the counting centre on Saturday as well.
Other candidates outside ABVP and NSUI also remained in contention. Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha candidate Vishesh Yadav polled 15,778 votes in the joint secretary's race, finishing behind ABVP's Lakshya Raj Singh.
The presidential contest had appeared to be moving in a different direction during the counting process. After four rounds, NSUI's Vijay Shankar Meena was leading the presidential race, while ABVP candidates held the advantage in the secretary and joint secretary contests. The final count put Dabas ahead.
The campaign itself had been marked by concerns over adherence to election guidelines. Campaign material was seen across parts of the university despite restrictions, while vehicles using loudspeakers and clashes between student groups remained among the issues that drew attention during the election period.
Security was tightened for the counting process, with police and paramilitary personnel deployed at strategic points. Foot patrols, motorcycle teams and PCR vans were stationed around university campuses and the counting venue, while movement around the area remained regulated.
NSUI National President Vinod Jakhar, reacting to the results, said the organisation would review its shortcomings and work towards returning to the electoral contest. He also alleged administrative interference and irregularities during the election. These allegations were part of NSUI's account of the election.
ABVP, meanwhile, attributed the outcome to student support for its organisational approach and highlighted student welfare, safety and campus facilities as areas of focus. Its newly elected representatives said they would work on student concerns and remain accessible to students.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.