NSUI faces internal rift days before Delhi University elections

Tensions within the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) are reaching a peak just days before the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections.

The student wing of the Congress is grappling with a sharp internal split, resulting in two competing power centers that threaten its electoral prospects.

The conflict came into the spotlight during a key meeting between Kanhiya Kumar, NSUI’s AICC in-charge, and the current national president, Varun Chaudhry.

Kumar announced a new selection process for the national president, which insiders say stems from an ongoing ego clash between the two leaders.

NSUI sources trace the discord to the party’s poor showing in the Panjab University Students’ Union (PUSU) elections.

The loss, they say, followed controversial ticket allocations in which Kanhaiya Kumar reportedly overruled the local unit’s preferred candidate.

"Both the local unit and our national president, Varun Chaudhry, were in favor of fielding Sumit Kumar as the presidential candidate, but Kanhaiya Kumar overruled them and chose Prabhjot Singh instead," an NSUI functionary said.

The decision backfired as ABVP’s Gaurav Veer Sohal won the presidential post with 3,148 votes.

"We lost a winnable battle. Prabhjot was brought into NSUI just days before the polls," an NSUI leader from Chandigarh said.

Sumit Kumar, contesting independently, finished second with 2,660 votes, while Prabhjot Singh managed only 1,359 votes.

The leadership crisis has drawn the attention of senior Congress figures. Varun Chaudhry reportedly raised the matter directly with Rahul Gandhi after the internal conflict intensified.

Some NSUI members also allege that Kanhaiya Kumar has recruited individuals from left-leaning groups, potentially shifting the wing’s ideology.

"Two clear power centers have formed within the organization. If a worker engages with one side, they risk angering the other. This internal conflict could severely damage our chances in DUSU," a senior NSUI leader said.

To prevent further escalation, top Congress officials, including KC Venugopal, convened discussions with Kanhaiya Kumar and Varun Chaudhry to mediate between the factions.

Reports indicate that Kumar was asked to suspend the new presidential selection process.

The urgency to resolve these differences is heightened by fears that prolonged infighting could repeat Panjab University’s outcome in the upcoming DUSU elections.

Last year, NSUI’s Raunak Khatri broke a seven-year losing streak by winning the DUSU presidency. However, the current strife raises concerns that history could repeat itself.

As the polls approach, the party faces mounting pressure to restore unity and secure a strong performance.

Resolving internal disagreements is now seen as critical to safeguarding NSUI’s position in Delhi University.