Delhi Education Minister visits Rajdhani College, extends support to ABVP

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood visited Rajdhani College during DUSU polling and backed the ABVP panel. His appeal to students came as voting unfolded under tight security and court scrutiny.The minister's public support comes as campaigning and voting for the DUSU elections take place amid heightened security arrangements across the university (Photo: PTI)Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Friday visited Rajdhani College amid polling for the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections and extended his support to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) panel.Voting for the DUSU elections 2026-27 is being held across Delhi University colleges on Friday, September 18. Students are voting for four central panel posts — president, vice-president, secretary and joint secretary. Counting of votes is scheduled for September 19.Sood's visit to Rajdhani College came as students cast their votes in the university-wide elections. The ABVP is contesting all four central panel posts, with Yash Dabas as its presidential candidate, Ishu Maurya for vice-president, Riya Chhawdi for secretary and Lakshay Raj Singh for joint secretary.SOOD EARLIER INTERACTED WITH ABVP WORKERSEarlier, Sood attended a student meeting organised in support of ABVP and interacted with ABVP workers and young students. In a Facebook post, Sood said he had an opportunity to interact with ABVP workers and young people. He described the youth as an important force in shaping the direction and future of the country.Sood also appealed to students to support the ABVP panel in the upcoming student union elections, urging them to use their vote for what he described as "national interest, student interest and positive change". In his post, Sood listed the ABVP panel candidates and asked students to support the panel in the 2026 elections. The ABVP is contesting on ballot numbers 7-3-3-3.The minister's public support comes as campaigning and voting for the DUSU elections take place amid heightened security arrangements across the university. More than 1.5 lakh students are eligible to vote in this year's elections.The DUSU campaign has focused on issues including student housing, safety, academic reforms and placements. The ABVP's manifesto has highlighted these issues under four broad themes — Awas, Bhagidari, Vishwas and Parinaam.The elections are being held against the backdrop of concerns raised by the Delhi High Court over alleged incidents of violence, vandalism and violations of election-related directions during the campaign. The court has sought reports from Delhi University and the Delhi Police on the steps being taken to ensure compliance with election rules.- EndsPublished By: Mridusmita DekaPublished On: Sep 18, 2026 12:44 IST