Money, muscle, and trip to Ayodhya: How are DU student leaders asking for votes?

The Delhi University Student Union election is set to be held on September 27 with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, National Students’ Union of India, and the alliance of All India Students’ Association and Students’ Federation of India gearing up for a tough contest. 

The poll will decide the varsity’s student body’s president, vice president, secretary, and joint secretary. The ABVP has fielded Rishabh Choudhary as its presidential candidate, while the NSUI’s presidential candidate is Rounak Khatri, and Saavi is the AISA-SFI alliance candidate. 

Newslaundry trailed the election campaigns of the three candidates and spoke to university students about their key issues in the election, factors that will influence their votes, freebies, and campus polls. 

The students also opened up about the parties’ tactics to amass votes – from sponsoring meals in university canteens to organising Ram mandir darshan in Ayodhya.  Mohit, a student of Ramjas college, said, “Candidates are roaming in Rolls Royce for vote. There is everything in play – money, muscle, caste, and regionalism.” 

Watch. 

Reports like these take time and resources. Help us tell more stories that are in public interest. Subscribe today.

It will soon be a year since Hamas’ October 7 attack. Contribute to our new NL Sena project to help us bring an exclusive mini-series that examines the multiple dimensions of the Israel-Gaza war from ground zero.