Pamphlets on the ground, reels on the screen: DUSU poll campaign ends

The final hours of the DUSU poll saw a bustling scene outside the Faculty of Law, where pamphlets littered the ground, SUVs navigated dense crowds and slogans echoed across the campus. ABVP rolled out a high‑energy video featuring presidential hopeful Yash Dabas, vice‑presidential nominee Ishu Maurya, secretary candidate Riya Chhawdi and joint‑secretary Lakshay Raj Singh, set to a fast‑paced rap track. In contrast, NSUI’s campaign relied on a modest phone‑filmed clip of the parents of Adivasi presidential candidate Vijay Shankar Meena, who appealed to students beyond his native Lalsot in Rajasthan, while the Left alliance of AISA and SFI continued its traditional class‑to‑class outreach.

The Wednesday drive highlighted several concrete figures: the NSUI candidate Vijay Meena’s Instagram following surpassed 88,000, extending his reach beyond Delhi to national and overseas audiences. Campaign rhetoric frequently referenced the recent Satya Niketan PG‑building collapse that claimed five student lives, prompting demands for rent regulation and the construction of university‑run hostels, with students citing monthly rents of Rs 20,000 for rooms they described as “match‑box sized.” The day also witnessed a reported violent attack on activist Stanzin at Sri Aurobindo College, underscoring persistent concerns about intimidation, money and caste‑based tactics.

The election unfolded against a backdrop of heightened student activism following paper‑leak protests and the tragic building collapse, which have forced political groups to recalibrate their strategies. While digital platforms have become decisive in shaping Gen‑Z voter sentiment, on‑ground realities such as financial muscle and caste affiliations continue to influence outcomes. Observers note that the blend of online virality and traditional canvassing reflects a transitional phase in campus politics, with implications for how future student unions may balance modern outreach with entrenched power structures.