Battle lines drawn, 21 in fray for DU Students’ Union elections

The last date for the withdrawal of nominations from the high-stakes Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections ended on Thursday with 21 candidates left in the fray for the September 18 polling.

Though 73 nominations were filed for four key posts, 21 remained in the electoral arena after the withdrawal deadline expired today.

Among those in the fight, nine candidates will contest for the president's post, three for vice-president's post, four for the post of secretary and five for the position of joint secretary.

The elections will be held on September 18 and counting of votes will take place on September 19.

The elections are being seen as a key test for three main student groups — RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Congress-linked National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Left alliance of All-India Students’ Association (AISA) with Students’ Federation of India (SFI) - at the DU.

3 key presidential candidates

There are nine contestants for the president’s post, considered the most prestigious in the DUSU, but the spotlight is on the three candidates fielded by the mainstream student outfits.

Aryan Maan (24) (ABVP): From Bahadurgarh, Haryana, Aryan is a Hansraj College graduate and currently pursuing Library Science at the DU. Known for his active role in campus politics, he has been at the forefront of ABVP-led protests against fee hike, demanding improved university infrastructure and better sports facilities. An avid football player, Aryan has also represented his college in university-level tournaments, which adds to his appeal among sportspersons on campus.

Joslyn Nandita Choudhary (23) (NSUI): A native of Pal Gaon, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Joslyn is pursuing an MA in Buddhist Studies at the DU. She has been associated with the NSUI since 2019 and is known for raising issues of women’s rights, safety on campus and gender-sensitive infrastructure. Her candidature marks a milestone as she is the first woman in five years to be fielded by a mainstream student group for the top post. Her campaign is expected to focus heavily on representation and inclusivity.

Anjali (Age 24) (AISA-SFI Alliance): From Gaya, Bihar, and an alumna of Indraprastha College for Women (IPCW), Anjali has emerged as a leading face of the Left. She was instrumental in the 2022 reopening movement of the DU after the pandemic shutdown and has actively led campaigns for women’s hostels, against harassment during college fests and opposed controversial courses like SEC–VAC as well as the internal assessment structure. Known for her fiery speeches, she is expected to consolidate progressive voices on campus.

The remaining six independent candidates — Anuj Kumar, Divyanshu Singh Yadav, Umanshi, Yogesh Meena, and Abhishek Kumar — may not enjoy the same organisational backing but could play a crucial role in splitting votes, potentially impacting the outcome of the triangular fight among the big three.

Three-way contest for vice-president

The vice-president post has narrowed down to a three-way contest. The ABVP has fielded Govind Tanwar, NSUI has nominated Rahul Jhansla (Yadav), while AISA-SFI has chosen Sohan Kumar Yadav. With fewer candidates in the fray, this race is expected to be direct and closely fought.

4 for secretary, 5 for joint secretary post

Four candidates remain for the Secretary position and five for Joint Secretary. These posts often see a mix of candidates from major outfits and independents, with alliances and last-minute vote swings playing a decisive role.

Campaigning set to intensify

As the official list is finalised, campaigning is set to intensify in the coming week. Posters, pamphlets, sloganeering and student interactions across DU’s campus and affiliated colleges are expected to dominate the scene. Social media campaigns have also become a significant battleground in recent years, with student groups actively using Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube to connect with young voters. The elections are being closely watched as they are seen as a reflection of national politics on the campus. With ABVP backed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), NSUI representing the Congress and AISA-SFI symbolising Left politics, the outcome often mirrors larger ideological trends among the youth.