Every year, by this time, student wings of political organisations try to gain ground in colleges ahead of the Delhi University Students’ Union (Dusu) elections, held annually in September.
Every year, by this time, student wings of political organisations try to gain ground in colleges ahead of the Delhi University Students’ Union (Dusu) elections, held annually in September. But with thin attendance due to undeclared results, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) national spokesperson Saket Bahuguna said the excitement surrounding Dusu polls is less than in previous years.
College results are delayed as the DU teachers’ association boycotted the evaluation duty, protesting against a UGC notification that redefined their service conditions. The boycott, however, was lifted on June 18 after the UGC softened its stance and DU authorities opened up for negotiations.
“Most colleges are seeing thin attendance in second and third-year classes. Only first-year students are having regular classes,” said Mr Bahuguna.
With the university shifting to a full-fledged online admission process this year, the new batch of students have stayed away from the radar of student parties. Until last year, the organisations ran aggressive campaigns to woo freshers by setting up a large number of help desks to assist them with admission formalities. But this year only a few help desks were seen.
Mr Bahuguna, whose party swept Dusu polls last year, second time in a row, said its archrival, the Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India, is showing less enthusiasm about the upcoming polls. “They are nowhere to be seen in colleges. They are only busy putting up posters late in the night,” he said.
But NSUI national vice president Mohit Sharma said the organisation has its poll strategy well chalked out. “Like every year, we will host Rajiv Gandhi Sports Meet and Medhavi quiz contest to connect with the students. We have opened pages on Facebook to increase our online reach,” Mr Sharma told this newspaper.
The AAP-affiliated Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti’s (CYSS) Anmol Panwar said his organisation will enter the poll fray only when the DU authorities ensure that the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations for university elections are implemented properly. Dusu elections have become all about high-budget campaigns, he said.
