New Delhi, Sep 10: Despite 15 women candidates being in fray, not a single could make it to the final four of the Delhi University Students' Union, elections for which threw an all-male panel today.
Strong women candidates have been a prominent feature of DU's student unions for many years.
While it was Ragini Nayak in 2005, it was Amrtia Dhawan in 2007. Last year's panel too had two women on it.
This year as 15 women contested for various posts among a total of 41 candidates, the result did not turn out to be favorable, leaving several women students disappointed.
Neha Singh, ABVP's presidential candidate and Parag Sharma, NSUI's candidate for Secretary—both came second in their respective categories.
“Well, yes I am disappointed to lose out, especially when all my other team members won. But I am still happy to have given the winner a tough fight,” said Neha after the results were announced today.
Neetu Dabbas, the outgoing Secretary, said she was as surprised that not even one woman student made it this year.
“It was disappointing as well as surprising, neither Neha nor Parag won and there is no woman in DUSU this time. But it depends on a number of factors like your team, the way you manage your election among others and you cannot guarantee this every time,” she said.
Asked if this would mean issues of women students do not get prominent attention, she said she hoped the current panel will make sure this does not happen.
In another interesting feature, Ajay Chhikara, the presidential winner of NSUI now finds himself surrounded by three members of the rival group ABVP in the panel, prompting many to wonder if this would mean a year-long confrontation.
However, the candidates were quick to shrug off this possibility, promising to cooperate with each other to make things work.
“Our confrontation ended with the election. Now that we are in DUSU, student issues will be our priority,” said Chhikara. PTI
