Student Clubs and Election at the College level of Delhi University | V.K.Sridhar Sudeep Pandey, Hardik Dadheech

Abstract

Student politics has evolved and entered a new phase as a result of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) in 2022, with substantial consequences in recent years. In recent years, student elections at the college level have been controlled by numerous clubs, including Happy Club, Ignite, Team BOSS, Iconic Club which actively influence the political environment. These elections putforth a network among these clubs, with certain candidates from their panels elected and others are sacrificed. These clubs prefer to target first year students and are active right from the admission and are very clear of contesting elections while actively raising college issues and focus more on networking with the students than the second and third year students, influencing their votes using means such as posters, freshers helpdesk, WhatsApp groups, Instagram. This paper examines the interplay of clubs at Motilal Nehru College based on conversation with students and candidates, while refraining from naming indiviudals, to show that these clubs serve as a reassertion of regional identity, which helps them garner electoral support.

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Introduction

The Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) election is seen as the most high-profile student union election in the country, offering a gateway into both local and national politics. Over time, DUSU elections have become a bipolar contest primarily between the two dominant student bodies, the National Students Union of India of Congress (NSUI) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidiyarathi Parishad (ABVP), thanks to the significant capitalist resources and well-established means for mobilizing students. This contest is also marked by caste allegiances and lavish spending on posters and pamphlets that flood the campus. Out of 77 Delhi University colleges, 52 are affiliated with DUSU, as it is optional for institutions to participate in the election process. As a result, DUSU does not represent the entire student community of the university, as prominent North Campus Colleges- such as St.Stephen