With only three days remaining until the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) elections, both the Left alliance and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) are aggressively campaigning to win over student voters in New Delhi.
The Left alliance is championing JNU’s long-standing tradition of progressive, inclusive, and democratic politics. In stark contrast, the ABVP is focusing its platform on promises of performance and a strong sense of nationalism.
Scheduled for November 4, with results expected on November 6, these elections have reignited spirited political discourse on campus. The past year has seen numerous protests, discussions about accessibility and inclusion, and ongoing debates regarding the influence of student unions in university administration.
Students anticipate a fierce competition and a high voter turnout, fueled by months of passionate debate and engagement.
This year, the Left Unity, a coalition of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), Students’ Federation of India (SFI), and Democratic Students’ Federation (DSF), is presenting a unified front.
Conversely, the RSS-backed ABVP has launched an assertive campaign, positioning itself as a pragmatic, ‘result-oriented alternative’ for students.
Aditi Mishra, the Left candidate for president and a PhD scholar from the School of International Studies, highlighted in a campaign speech that these elections are particularly crucial ‘at a time when crimes against women are on the rise, and certain leaders are blaming women for their freedom.’
Mishra framed the elections as a vital part of a broader movement to establish ‘an inclusive JNU, truly accessible to students from every background, free from the barriers of caste, gender, region, or religion.’
Danish Ali, the Left Unity’s candidate for joint secretary, asserted that ‘Dalits and Muslims are experiencing relentless attacks nationwide.’ Ali further criticized the ABVP for allegedly introducing similar ‘divisive politics’ into the university campus.
During a student gathering, Ali emphasized, ‘It is imperative that we resist casteism and Islamophobia, and actively protect democratic spaces within our universities.’
The ABVP countered these statements, declaring in an official release that it had significantly ‘strengthened its standing’ within JNU, while portraying the Left alliance as being ‘in disarray’ and losing its former influence.
The organization asserted that the Left groups, historically dominant on campus, are now struggling and on the defensive.
According to the ABVP’s statement, the political discourse at JNU has evolved from empty slogans to meaningful substance.
The ABVP argued that ‘students are now prioritizing accountability and tangible results over confrontational political tactics.’
The group underscored its accomplishments from the previous term, citing initiatives like enhancing hostel amenities, reinstating vital student services such as the ‘U-Special’ bus, and advocating for crucial campus infrastructure upgrades.
An ABVP representative suggested that their increasing popularity reflects ‘students’ growing demand for constructive engagement and leadership focused on solutions,’ implying that the Left groups are ‘forming alliances out of tactical necessity rather than shared ideology.’
The Left alliance, however, disputed these claims, commending the previous JNUSU, led by AISA’s Nitish Kumar (President), and DSF’s Manisha and Munteha Fatima (Vice President and General Secretary, respectively), for their relentless efforts in ‘combating administrative infringements on student rights.’
They highlighted several key policy interventions, such as a successful protest against the eviction of final-year PhD students, staunch opposition to rising hostel fees, and a strong defense of the merit-cum-means scholarship program.
Furthermore, the Left accused the ABVP of ‘remaining silent and complicit’ during these critical student struggles.
A Left Unity statement declared, ‘The previous JNUSU proudly maintained JNU’s vibrant culture of dissent, debate, and democracy, whereas the ABVP conspicuously absented itself from addressing crucial student concerns.’
Notably, this year’s election marks a reunification of AISA and SFI, who previously competed as separate entities.
Candidates from the Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students’ Association (BAPSA) are also participating in the electoral race.
During the last election, the ABVP celebrated a significant victory when Vaibhav Meena secured the joint secretary position, marking their first win in a decade and signaling what the organization termed ‘a historic shift in JNU’s political landscape.’
As the campaign season approaches its climax, both alliances are intensifying their outreach efforts, conducting late-night meetings in student hostels and academic buildings.
The university’s walls are now adorned with numerous posters and slogans, bringing back the distinct electoral buzz that characterizes JNU during election season.
The JNUSU elections remain one of India’s most closely observed student polls, often acting as a key indicator of youth political trends and the evolving ideological currents within university environments.