Student wing of political parties soon to start wooing DU freshers

After online registrations for undergraduate admissions to Delhi University came to an on Tuesday, students' unions from across the political spectrum were left disappointed, as they failed to make any significant impact on the minds of prospective students, who make up the future cadres of students organisations.

Last month, clashes erupted between members of the All India Students Association and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad outside one of counselling sessions. The rival groups fought over who will brief DU aspirants over their doubts. A police complaint was also registered in the case.

Since the fight, ABVP has been setting up help desks right outside the conference centre and camping there for few days, while AISA distributed pamphlets right outside the centre.

With the registration process ending on dull note, all the students unions are expected to intensify their activities after June 20, when the first cut-off list will be declared by the varsity. With elections to Delhi University Students Union around the corner, AISA is planning to spread its wings across the varsity.

Kawalpreet Kaur, head of AISA's DU unit, says: "Since the undergraduate registrations are over, we are focusing on postgraduate admissions and plan to help all prospective students by setting up help desks and may increase membership recruitment, so that AISA becomes a pan-Delhi University organisation and not just limited to North Campus."

ABVP, which currently rules DUSU, will face a tough battle in the upcoming elections and has gone all out to gain an early lead. The RSS-affiliated students' body deputed volunteers at all 74 colleges, and expects to recruit candidates from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Haryana.

"We have seen that students who frequent help desks of a party and then join the college usually gravitate towards the party which helps them. ABVP is expected to win this election as well, looking at the last four years' trend," said Saket Bahuguna, spokesperson for ABVP.

Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti, the student wing of Aam Aadmi Party, surprisingly did not set up a help desk this year. Their leader Anupam Kumar said: "CYSS will be active after June 20 as then people will come to the University for admissions and then we may set up a help desk."

Even the National Students Union of India could not capitalise on the crowd of DU aspirants. NSUI's Shauryaveer Kadyan said: "Very few applicants needed our help this year, but we hope to capitalise once the first cut-off list is released. NSUI welcomes everyone in its fold."