ABVP retains Panjab University president’s post for second consecutive year

ABVP retains Panjab University president’s post

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) retained the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) president’s post for a second consecutive year, with its candidate Ankit Bidhan defeating nearest rival Aadil Singh Brar of the Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP) by 512 votes. Bidhan, a research scholar, polled 3,149 votes against Brar’s 2,637, according to results reported by The Tribune. The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) candidate Gurman Singh Sidhu finished third with 2,263 votes, while Sath party candidate Darshpreet Singh secured 1,387 votes; 174 voters opted for NOTA.

According to The Times of India, the victory marks ABVP’s first back-to-back presidential wins since NSUI’s consecutive victories in 2013 and 2014. The margin between the two triumphs was strikingly small: ABVP’s presidential tally rose by just one vote, from Gaurav Veer Sohal’s 3,148 last year to Bidhan’s 3,149 this year. The total presidential vote was almost identical too—last year, eight candidates and NOTA together polled 9,613 votes; this year, four candidates and NOTA accounted for 9,610. The Times of India reported that the opposition vote was larger collectively this year but was divided among three challengers, with none matching the 2,660 votes polled by Student Front’s Sumit Kumar last year. In contrast, last year’s second-place candidate, Sumit, came within 488 votes of Sohal, while the combined votes of the third and fourth candidates totaled 2,543. This year’s winning margin increased to 512 votes.

Strategic shifts and campus context

The Tribune reported that ABVP entered the election amid sharp criticism of the BJP and the RSS, its parent organisation. Despite this, the party mounted a coordinated campaign, with senior leaders, former student council presidents and organisational functionaries maintaining a visible presence on campus. Bidhan was the only Haryana candidate among the four major contenders, all of whom were from Punjab. The Tribune noted that ABVP changed its strategy by fielding a candidate from Jind district, a departure from last year when it won with Gaurav Veer Sohal, a Jat Sikh.

According to The Tribune, ABVP contested only the presidential post this year, a change from last year when its front also fielded a vice-presidential candidate. The rejection of the SOI candidate’s nomination and the ABVP-SOI alliance, announced a day before the election, were also cited as factors that worked in ABVP’s favour. The alliance was formalised after senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia told ANI on August 21 that people in Punjab wanted the two former allies to come together, citing the state’s status as a border state and the importance of maintaining social harmony.

Election conduct and reactions

The Tribune reported that a protest occurred at the Law department over entry restrictions, and that a student allegedly manhandled security staff and blocked a ballot box vehicle. Independent candidates won the secretary and joint secretary posts, with 938 NOTA votes recorded for the joint secretary post.

Following the results, ABVP and SOI members celebrated across the campus, as reported by ANI. Bidhan said, “We fought this election for the students and for the work done for their welfare in the last session. I am grateful to every voter.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated ABVP on X, stating, “Heartiest congratulations to all the workers of the council on the splendid victory of @ABVPVoice in the Panjab University Students' Union elections. This victory, achieved for the second consecutive time, is a testament to the unwavering faith of the youth power in the 'Nation First' ideology. I am fully confident that the council's workers, following the ideals of Swami Vivekanand Ji, will continue to work tirelessly with dedication for the welfare of students.”

BJP Punjab In-Charge and MP Satish Poonia, who was on an organisational tour, said he would hold comprehensive discussions with the party’s Core Committee to advance “Mission 27” in the state.