PU polls: NSUI wins 3, PUSU 1

Springing a surprise, the student wing of the Congress Party, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) -led alliance swept Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) elections by winning three seats out of four, including that of the president, second time in a row.

BJP’s student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) which had fielded its candidate on all four seats, following the BJP’s win at the centre in general elections, three months ago, lost badly. Its presidential candidate got 303 votes.

The result has come as an embarrassment for the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) as well. Its student wing, the Student Organisation of India (SOI), in alliance with others, lost on all seats. It was considered the second major contender and saw the party backing the student wing fully. It stood at number three on other posts.

Voter turnout low; recount needed

The turnout, in a largely peaceful poll, was recorded at 59% as compared to 68% in 2013, due to the long weekend holidays and rain in the morning. For the president and the joint secretary’s post, there had to be a recount due to thin margin.

NSUI retains president’s post

The NSUI alliance managed to retain the post of president. Its candidate Divyanshu Budhiraja defeated SOI alliance Rachit Duggal. It also won two more posts, of the vice-president by Snigdha Bawa by 288 votes.

introspection TIME for older parties

PU’s old warhorses, the Student Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) and Panjab University Student Union (PUSU) will have a tough time ahead to remain afloat.

A divided SOPU could hardly secure any votes, with PUSU scraping through at the joint secretary’s post by 76 votes only.

Surprise package

The biggest surprise was Students For Society (SFS) presidential candidate, Amandeep Kaur securing 1,334 votes. The debutant party had decided to plunge into elections just before the elections and could hardly campaign. Observers say, had it not been in the race either the PUSU or the SOI would have bagged the seat of president.

MINOR VIOLENCE

A minor verbal spat took place between the workers of the NSUI and SOI, when the NSUI members obstructed SOI workers. Another scuffle was reported at Government College, Sector-46.