Panjab University Polls: ABVP's Ankit Bidhan wins by 512 votes

RSS-affiliated ABVP won the post of the president of Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) for the second time in a row, with its candidate Ankit Bidhan registering victory in the university polls, the result of which was declared here on Monday evening. The victory of the ABVP assumed significance as the Students' Organisation of India (SOI), which is the student wing of the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), extended its support to it for the elections.

Last year, the ABVP won the post for the first time. Reacting to his victory, ABVP's Bidhan said, "Today Gen Z proved that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and ABVP are in their hearts." He said the ABVP won the elections on the back of work undertaken by it during the past one year. Asked about the SOI's support, Bidhan said it has been good with the SOI. After SOI's candidature was rejected, it declared support to the ABVP. The move came amid speculation that SAD and the BJP could enter into a re-alliance for the Punjab Assembly polls due early next year. Senior BJP leader Sanjay Tandon congratulated Bidhan on the victory, saying the victory reflects the confidence and support of the students and the dedicated efforts of the entire ABVP team and its supporters.

Also read Panjab University appoints Meenakshi Goyal acting vice chancellor; students protest over PhD scholar's death

Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon, former state BJP president Sunil Jakhar and other leaders also congratulated Bidhan. Jakhar said, "The winds of change have begun to blow from Panjab University. For the second consecutive time, the ABVP has created history by securing victory in the student elections. This victory is a symbol of the new thinking of the new generation, which is dedicating itself to fulfilling the resolve to realise the dream of a developed India. "SOI played an important role in this victory. Heartiest congratulations to Ankit Bidhan and the entire ABVP team for this historic victory."

Polling for electing new members of the PUCSC took place here on Monday. Around 16,500 students of the Panjab University were eligible to vote for the PUCSC elections, said officials. A total of 16 candidates were in the fray - four for the president's post, three for the secretary's post, five for vice-presidents' post and four for the joint secretary's post. Around 190 polling booths were set up. Polling began at 9:30 am and continued till 11 am, they said. Ankit Bidhan of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Aadil Brar of AAP's Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP), Gurnam Singh Sidhu of the Congress' student wing National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and Darshpreet Singh of Sath were fighting for the president's post.

Also read PU Chandigarh: Stalled promotions, ‘discriminatory’ rules push college teachers to renew parity demand

Bidhan emerged victorious by securing 3,149 votes, trouncing his nearest rival Aadil (2,637 votes) by a margin of 512 votes, while Gurman Singh Sidhu polled 2,263 votes and Darshpreet Singh secured 1,387 votes. Armaan Singh Bhinder won the post of vice president with 3,322 votes, defeating Aakanksha Thakur who got 2,818 votes. Dhyan Singh won the post of secretary by securing 4,045 votes, defeating Aryan Saharan who got 3,678 votes. For the post of joint secretary, Vishal Bamal secured victory by getting 3,506 votes, as against his nearest rival Devraj Singh Nain who got 2,338 votes.