Archive · 21 Sep 2026
ABVP Retains Delhi University Union as NSUI Splinters
The Delhi University student election was won mainly by the ABVP.
The ABVP won three important positions.
A former NSUI candidate, Deepanshu Shokeen, won vice-president.
Another NSUI rebel and Left-backed candidates divided votes that might otherwise have helped the NSUI.
The NSUI said it had tried to challenge the ABVP over several issues.
Left leaders said the NSUI and ABVP use similar election tactics.
There was disagreement about whether the NSUI denied Shokeen a ticket.
Only a little more than 40 percent of eligible students voted.
The RSS-backed ABVP won the president, secretary and joint secretary posts in the Delhi University Students’ Union.
NSUI rebel Deepanshu Shokeen won vice-president, while rebel Vishesh Yadav finished third for joint secretary.
Left-backed candidates placed third for president and secretary, with vote totals exceeding the ABVP’s victory margins over NSUI runners-up.
NSUI leaders blamed rebels, the Left and low turnout for the party’s failure to convert anti-incumbency issues into victories.
Turnout was slightly above 40 percent among an electorate of about 151,000 eligible bachelor’s and master’s students.
- Who
- The RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India, Left-backed groups, and rebel candidates contested the election.
- What
- The ABVP retained control of the Delhi University Students’ Union, winning three of four central posts.
- When
- The election results were reported on Saturday; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- Delhi University and its affiliated colleges in Delhi.
- Why
- The NSUI’s anti-incumbency vote was divided among rebels and Left candidates, while turnout remained low.
NSUI and Left perspectives
ABVP and defending perspectives
Why NSUI lost
NSUI and Left perspectives
NSUI and Left figures said the anti-incumbency vote was fragmented, while NSUI leaders also cited rejected nominations and low turnout.
ABVP and defending perspectives
The NSUI’s internal disagreements and rebel candidates weakened its campaign; Congress officials disputed claims that the party denied Deepanshu Shokeen a ticket.
Relationship between NSUI and Left
NSUI and Left perspectives
AISA said cooperation was possible around opposition to casteism, Islamophobia, restrictions on human rights and campus dissent.
ABVP and defending perspectives
A Congress leader said an alliance would not benefit either side at Delhi University and could create more rebellion within the NSUI.
Election tactics
NSUI and Left perspectives
A Left leader alleged that the NSUI and ABVP use similar tactics, including offering food, film tickets and outings to attract votes.
ABVP and defending perspectives
The article reports the allegation but does not include a direct response from the ABVP or NSUI on these tactics.
- Winning organization
- Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad
- Posts won by ABVP
- President, secretary and joint secretary
- Vice-president
- Deepanshu Shokeen, an NSUI rebel
- Electorate
- About 151,000 eligible students
- Turnout
- A little over 40 percent
- Annual student intake
- Around 70,000 students join Delhi University each year
- Notable vote total
- Deepanshu Shokeen polled 30,615 votes