After a Decade of Left Dominance, ABVP Eyes Comeback in High-Stakes JNUSU Polls

Over 9,000 eligible students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) cast their votes today for the 2025-26 Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) elections, marking the culmination of months of intense campaigning, debates, and political activism on campus. Polling unfolded in two phases—from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.—across multiple booths, with an estimated 70% voter turnout, reflecting the high stakes in what has become a barometer of youth ideology and national political currents. Counting commenced at 9 p.m. the same day, but final results are slated for announcement on November 6, following verification processes under the supervision of the JNUSU Election Committee. The elections, held annually to elect the central panel and school councillors, underscore JNU's legacy as a hotbed of progressive discourse, though recent administrative changes have sparked debates on inclusivity and governance.

This year's contest pits the Left Unity alliance—comprising the All India Students' Association (AISA), Democratic Students' Federation (DSF), and Students' Federation of India (SFI)—against the right-wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS. The Left Unity, a strategic front to consolidate progressive votes, fielded Aditi Mishra for president, Kizhakoot Gopika Babu for vice-president, Sunil Yadav for general secretary, and Danish Ali for joint secretary, emphasising themes of "inclusion, accessibility, and student welfare" amid concerns over fee hikes, hostel shortages, and curbs on dissent. ABVP countered with Vikas Patel as presidential candidate, Tanya Kumari for vice-president, Rajeshwar Kant Dubey for general secretary, and Anuj for joint secretary, campaigning on "performance and nationalism", accusing the Left of "ruining JNU for five decades", and pledging accountability in infrastructure and campus safety.

Other contenders added layers to the fray, including the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), Progressive Students' Association (PSA), Disha Students' Organisation (DSO), and independents, fielding candidates like Vikash Bishnoi (NSUI) for president and various Ambedkarite groups for councillor posts. Around 30% of central panel nominations and 25% of school councillor slots were from women, aligning with JNU's push for gender parity in student politics. The presidential debate on November 2 featured heated exchanges, with Mishra highlighting threats to "dissent and equality" and Patel decrying "divisive politics" by Left groups, drawing crowds to corner meetings and hostel walls plastered with slogans.

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JNU's electoral history has long been dominated by left alliances since the 1970s, symbolising resistance against perceived authoritarianism, but ABVP's resurgence—winning the joint secretary post in 2024 after a decade-long drought—signals shifting dynamics. Last year's results saw AISA's Nitish Kumar as president, with DSF securing vice-president and general secretary, while ABVP's Vaibhav Meena clinched joint secretary by a slim 85-vote margin, hailed as a "historic shift". The 2025 polls occur amid broader challenges, including UGC-mandated attendance norms and funding cuts, which Left candidates frame as assaults on academic freedom, while ABVP positions itself as a voice for "solution-orientated" reforms.

As ballot boxes seal and the wait for results builds anticipation, the JNUSU elections transcend campus boundaries, often mirroring national fault lines on issues like caste, gender, and secularism. With 20 candidates vying for the four central posts and dozens for councillor roles, the outcome could influence JNU's administrative negotiations and inspire similar student movements nationwide. Progressive observers like PSA's candidates stress unity against "structural assaults", while ABVP anticipates a breakthrough, potentially expanding its 23 councillor seats from last year. Regardless of the verdict, these polls reaffirm JNU's role as a crucible for India's democratic future.

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