Rahul Gandhi calls NSUI heads after Delhi University student wing loss

What Happened

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, summoned Kanhaiya Kumar, NSUI in‑charge, and Vinod Jakhar, NSUI president, on Monday to explain the National Students' Union of India's clean sweep loss in the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) central panel. The party failed to win any of the four seats for the first time in over a decade. The RSS‑linked ABVP took president, secretary and joint‑secretary posts while independent candidate Deepanshu Shokeen, a former NSUI activist, became vice‑president.

Reaction

Sources said Gandhi was displeased because the defeat came as his "Chhatron ki Goonj" campaign was attracting large youth crowds and the Congress is trying to win Gen‑Z votes. He asked Kumar and Jakhar why Shokeen, who left NSUI after being denied a ticket, was not offered a party ticket. The leaders replied that Shokeen's demands were unreasonable, which did not satisfy Gandhi.

Context

Student politics in Delhi often mirrors national party battles, and the loss signals challenges for Congress in reconnecting with young voters. The meeting came as the opposition and the Cockroach Janta Party prepare to press the Election Commission over Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, and after the CJP’s protests over a NEET paper leak forced Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, highlighting broader youth unrest.