The Left alliance continued its dominance in the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) elections for 2024-25, winning three of the four key central panel posts, while the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) made a major breakthrough after years of struggle.
Nitish Kumar (AISA) was elected President, Manisha (DSF) secured the Vice-President’s post, and Munteha Fatima (DSF) was elected General Secretary. In a significant achievement, the ABVP broke a decade-long drought by winning the Joint Secretary post, with Vaibhav Meena claiming victory.
Throughout the counting process, ABVP candidates led in all four central posts for a considerable time, reflecting a serious challenge to the Left’s traditional stronghold at JNU. Although they narrowly missed out on the three top posts, the slim margins indicated a shifting dynamic on campus.
The elections, held on April 25 after being delayed due to campus violence, recorded an enthusiastic voter turnout of nearly 70%, with around 5,500 students participating. It was a four-way battle featuring alliances led by AISA-DSF, ABVP, and an NSUI-Fraternity partnership.
In the councillor elections, the ABVP scripted history by winning 23 of 42 seats—its best performance since 1999. The group swept the School of Engineering and made notable gains in the Schools of Social Sciences, International Studies, and Sanskrit and Indic Studies, signaling a broader revival.
The results have energized ABVP supporters, who called the outcome a “turning point” and a foundation for future victories, particularly at the central panel level.
After his election, President-elect Nitish Kumar (AISA) pledged to work for student welfare, saying, “We will work for the students and their welfare. The aim is to ensure that the voice of every student is heard and respected.”
Vice President-elect Manisha (DSF) credited the victory to the spirit of the university, proclaiming, “The credit for this win goes to the university… JNU laal tha aur laal hi rahega. We have always raised the students’ voices and will continue to do so.”
General Secretary-elect Munteha Fatima (DSF) emphasized her commitment to continuing the fight for students’ rights.
Meanwhile, newly elected Joint Secretary Vaibhav Meena (ABVP) reflected on the significance of his win, stating, “We have won this after a decade, and ABVP will win all four seats in the next election. This victory is a stepping stone for further successes.”
The elections, originally scheduled for April 18, were postponed due to incidents of campus violence but were eventually conducted smoothly after court and administrative intervention.
