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3h ago

ABVP Wins Panjab University Presidency for First Time Since Direct Polls Began in 1977

Vote-splitting by rivals paved the way for ABVP’s breakthrough.

Rizwal Singh (centre) of ISF celebrating after being elected as the council president of SD College-32 (Ravi Kumar/HT)
ABVP's Gaurav Veer Sohal and his supporters celebrate after winning the student council election at Panjab University in Chandigarh on Wednesday, September 3.
Attri set up camp in PU much before the election season had started to assess the pulse of the campus. (Keshav Singh/HT)
Newly elected PUCSC president Gauravveer Sohal of the ABVP celebrating his victory with his supporters, at Panjab University, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. (Keshav Singh/HT)

Overview

  • ABVP’s Gaurav Veer Sohal secured 3,148 votes to defeat Sumit Sharma of Students Front, who polled 2,660, for a winning margin of 488 in a field of eight.
  • Key council posts split across parties: SATH’s Ashmeet Singh won vice-president, SOPU’s Abhishek Dagar took general secretary, and independent Mohit Manderana won joint secretary.
  • NSUI faced immediate fallout as four members, including former PUCSC president Anurag Dalal, were expelled over alleged anti-party activity.
  • Rival groups alleged administrative help and professorial campaigning for ABVP, with the claims reported but not substantiated.
  • ABVP focused on the top post and tied up with INSO and HSRA, whose candidates lost, while affiliated city colleges reported low participation with one count citing 29% turnout across nine campuses.