Counting in Progress: Left Expected to Maintain All Four Positions in JNU Students’ Union Election

A tightly contested battle is unfolding between the RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Left in the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union election. Counting is ongoing, with final results expected later today.

Following a 4-year hiatus due to Covid, the United Left alliance comprising All India Students’ Association (AISA), Democratic Students Federation (DSF), Students’ Federation of India (SFI), and All India Students’ Federation (AISF) is competing against the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

As of now, ABVP’s presidential candidate Umesh Chandra has garnered 1,162 votes out of 3,295 votes counted, while the Left’s nominee has secured 1,361 votes.

In the current standings for the student elections, Dhananjay from the Left party leads the presidential race with 2,411 votes, followed by Umesh Chandra Ajmeera from ABVP with 1,787 votes. Avijit Ghosh from the Left party holds the top spot for vice president with 2,135 votes, while Deepika Sharma from ABVP trails with 1,545 votes. For general secretary, Arjun Anand from ABVP has garnered 1,992 votes, while Priyanshi Arya from BAPSA, supported by the Left, leads with 2,719 votes. In the joint secretary race, Govind Dangi from ABVP has 2,159 votes, whereas Mo Sajid from the Left is close behind with 2,336 votes.

Since its establishment in 1969, left-wing student organizations, particularly the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist), have wielded significant influence in JNU student politics.

The SFI has claimed victory in the presidential post 22 times, while the All India Students’ Association (AISA) has won it 11 times, showcasing their enduring impact on shaping JNU’s student politics.

The presidential debate for the JNUSU elections took place on March 20, followed by polling on March 22. The final result is expected to be announced on Sunday.