Senior Cong leaders Ajay Rai, Deepender Hooda rally for NSUI candidates in DU polls

The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) election campaign intensified on Tuesday, with Congress leaders Ajay Rai and Deepender Singh Hooda stepping in to campaign for National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) candidates.

MP Deepender Hooda, accompanied by NSUI National President Varun Choudhary, led a roadshow through South Campus, drawing a large crowd. Expressing confidence in NSUI’s prospects, Hooda said, “I am fully confident the NSUI panel is set to sweep the DUSU elections.”

He also accused the RSS-BJP of spreading divisive politics. “While the RSS-BJP are busy rooting hatred in our country, NSUI remains committed to spreading the message of love and unity. We will once again open the ‘Mohabbat ki Dukaan’ in Delhi University campus,” he said.

Hooda urged students to vote for change. “This time, vote for ‘badlav’, vote for NSUI panel number 5225 and together let’s build a campus based on unity, progress and development,” he added.

Meanwhile, former Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai issued a message of solidarity with Purvanchal students after incidents of violence broke out at Kirori Mal College (KMC) ahead of his scheduled visit. In a video message, Rai said, “ABVP is rattled by the massive support NSUI is receiving. The violence at KMC is proof of their fear. I am coming to stand with you and no intimidation can weaken your spirit.”

NSUI claimed the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) attempted to intimidate Purvanchal students. “ABVP resorted to violence and attacked NSUI’s Purvanchal student supporters in a desperate attempt to disrupt the programme,” a party statement said.

ABVP, however, rejected the allegations and turned the blame on Congress. ABVP Delhi State Secretary Sarthak Sharma said, “It is highly condemnable Congress and NSUI are bringing outsiders into the university to spread violence and chaos. The DU campus is meant to be a hub of learning and positive student politics, but Congress leaders’ interference has made it unsafe.”

12 candidates under

watch for violating rules

Twelve candidates contesting the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections are under investigation for allegedly violating the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines, aimed at curbing the influence of money and muscle power in student polls.

The university administration has received multiple complaints through a special monitoring portal, launched to allow students and faculty to report rule breaches by uploading photos or videos alongside candidate names.

Complaints allege that some candidates arrived at the nomination centre in convoys of luxury cars, jeeps, and even tractors, causing significant traffic disruptions around North Campus. Such displays are explicitly prohibited under the Lyngdoh Committee rules.

The accused candidates include Aryan Mann (ABVP, President candidate), Govind Tanwar (ABVP, Vice-President candidate), Joslyn Nandita Chaudhary (NSUI, President candidate), Rahul Jhansla (NSUI, Vice-President candidate), Kabir Girsa (NSUI, Secretary), Nitin Tanwar, Divyanshu Singh Yadav, Rohit Dedha, Yash Dubas, Unmansi Lamba, Bhumika Chauhan, and Deepanshu Shaukeen.

University officials confirmed that the evidence is being thoroughly verified, with the possibility of action including cancellation of nominations if allegations are substantiated. “The portal has helped enhance transparency and engage the student community in enforcing election rules,” an official said.

Students have welcomed the initiative. Raghav Yadav from Ramjas College said, “This portal gives us a chance to hold candidates accountable. If leaders want to represent us, they must follow the rules first.”

The administration plans to complete its verification ahead of polling day.