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Key Points

The ABVP has created history by winning the Panjab University presidential election for the first time since direct elections began in 1977. Research scholar Gaurav Veer Sohal secured 3,148 votes to become president, defeating his closest competitor by 488 votes. This marks a significant shift from home-grown student outfits to national political student wings on campus. The victory represents a major milestone for the BJP-affiliated student organization at the prestigious university.

Key Points: ABVP Wins Historic First Panjab University President Election

  • ABVP breaks 48-year record winning Panjab University president seat
  • Research scholar Gaurav Veer Sohal wins with 3,148 vote margin
  • BJP student wing defeats Congress NSUI and AAP student outfits
  • Historic shift from home-grown student outfits to national parties
2 min read

ABVP creates history by winning Panjab University polls

ABVP makes history by winning Panjab University presidential election for first time since 1977. Gaurav Veer Sohal elected president with 3,148 votes.

"ABVP has scripted history by winning the election for the presidentship of Panjab University Students’ Council for first time in 48 years - Sunil Jakhar"

Chandigarh, Sep 3

In a first in the university's history, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the BJP, on Wednesday scripted history by winning the Panjab University Campus Students' Council (PUCSC) election.

Gaurav Veer Sohal, a research scholar from the University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS), won the post of the President by securing 3,148 votes and defeating his closest competitor, Sumit Sharma, by a margin of 488 votes. After winning the elections, Sohal told the media, “My heart goes out to the people who are suffering due to the flood in Punjab.” There were eight candidates in the fray for the post.

This is the first time that the ABVP won the President’s seat since Panjab University started holding direct elections for the student office-bearers in 1977. For a long time, student wings of national-level organisations were not active on the campus or played a minor role, as home-grown outfits dominated. That has changed over the past decade or so.

Responding to the party’s win, Punjab state unit chief Sunil Jakhar wrote on X, “ABVP has scripted history by winning the election for the presidentship of Panjab University Students’ Council for the first time in 48 years. Heartiest congratulations to Gaurav Veer Sohal on becoming the President of PUSC, and kudos to the entire ABVP team for this great victory.”

Other student wings — the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) of the Congress; the Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP) of Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP); and the Students Organisation of India (SOI) of the Shiromani Akali Dal — performed poorly this time. Last year, the election was won by a rebel from the NSUI. AAP’s student wing had won in 2022.

Panjab University, known for its alumni like Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Nobel Laureate Hargobind Khorana, has contributed to science in India and internationally — a facet that is not well known. Originally called the University of Punjab, the institution was established at Lahore on October 14, 1882, and it was reestablished in independent India on October 1, 1947. The university shifted to its present campus, spread over a beautiful and sprawling 550 acres, in Chandigarh in 1956. The university has around 60 teaching and research departments, and over 170 colleges are affiliated with it.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Interesting to see the political shift in PU after so many years. Hope the new leadership focuses on actual student issues rather than just politics.
A
Aman W
As a PU alumnus, I'm surprised but not shocked. The campus politics has been changing gradually. Good to see the winner acknowledging Punjab floods - shows maturity.
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Sarah B
While I congratulate the winner, I hope this doesn't mean campus diversity and free expression will be affected. Student politics should remain inclusive.
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Vikram M
AAP and Congress student wings need to seriously rethink their strategies. They've been completely outplayed this time.
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Nisha Z
PU has such a rich history with alumni like Dr. Manmohan Singh. Hope the new leadership maintains the academic excellence while bringing positive changes. 🤞

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