As DUSU polls draw closer, slogan war heats up on campus

With just three days to go for the Delhi University Students’ Union elections, the campus is resonating with catchy slogans crafted to win the attention of voters.

As canvassing with posters and placards remains restricted after the Delhi High Court’s order, slogans have taken centre stage as the principal campaign method.

Candidates and their teams are relying heavily on rhymes, ballot numbers and name-driven punchlines to capture the students’ attention.

Among the most heard chants on the campus this year are - “DU ki shaan, Aryan Maan” (a campaign line for ABVP’s presidential candidate) and “DU ka bhavar, Govind Tanwar” (V-P candidate for the ABVP).

The ABVP campaign is also innovating slogans around its candidates’ ballot numbers. One Hindi slogan says “3-1-3-4, ABVP ab ki baar” with the English catch phrase being “3-1-3-4, ABVP once more”.

On the importance of this method of canvassing, campaign leaders argue that in a short, intense election like DUSU, slogans are vital. “This is the best way to attract students. These attractive slogans also help us in the campaign, and by this, students remember our name and ballot number, which is very helpful,” said Aryan Maan.

NSUI campaigners, meanwhile, have turned their ballot digits into interesting slogans such as “DU maange Five Two Two Five ki vibe” and “Ballot No kya hai? 5225!”.

They are also relying on traditional campaign rhymes such as “Aayi Aayi NSUI” and “Chhatro ke samman mein, NSUI maidan mein” to underline student participation and respect. For candidates, slogans are about emotional resonance.

“In such a large and diverse university, you need something that resonates instantly,” says Rahul Jhansla Yadav, vice-presidential candidate of the NSUI.

“Our slogans create an emotional connection with students, but they also make the campaign more youthful and vibrant,” he added.

The numbers game — whether 3134 or 5225 — has transformed campaigning into a rhythm-filled contest. Students are often heard repeating these chants in canteens and lawns, revealing the power of communication and of how slogans are serving their intended purpose of visibility and recall. Students, too, acknowledge the power of catchy lines.

“We may not always read the manifestos in detail, but slogans stay in our minds,” says Priya Sharma, a second-year student of Miranda House. “Sometimes, it’s the rhythm of a slogan that makes you curious to know more about a candidate,” she says.

As the voting day approaches, the battle of ideas is being fought not only through manifestos and promises but also through the rhythm of slogans, transforming everyday spaces of the DU into buzzing musical, creative arenas.