The Changing Landscape of Student Politics: No More Clean Sweeps?

Student politics in Panjab University has long been a vibrant and spirited arena. However significant shift has been observed in recent years, where the spirit of individual parties seems to be disappearing as they increasingly resort to forming coalitions and focusing on securing votes for single seats rather than sweeping all positions.

Over the years, Panjab University has witnessed a dominating trend where a single party would secure all four key positions: President, Vice President, General Secretary and Joint Secretary. This doesn't seem to be the scenario anymore. The last clean sweep was done by SOI in 2015 followed by a clean sweep by NSUI student front + PUSU coalition in 2016. Since then, it has been almost 8 years and parties now just seem to be concerned with obtaining at least one seat. However, NSUI is the only party which has contested on all the four seats till now and is setting a great example every year for others too. Last time, PUSU party also did the same but the unconditional support to SOI at the very last moment raised several questions again.

It now feels like the greed of power has overshadowed the actual purpose of victory. The emergence of coalitions between smaller and larger parties has become a prevalent trend. By this, smaller parties are now trying to secure just one seat by forming alliances with larger parties, leaving the spirit of elections in question.

Such alliances seem to prioritize just power display. People are trying to win by hook or crook for the sole purpose of having authority for personal gains.

To revive the true essence of student politics, it is essential for parties to reevaluate their priorities. Instead of seeking individual positions for personal gains, they should focus on the collective welfare of the student body.

What do you think? Are PUCSC elections now

just a medium for power display? Are parties trying to fight for seats for student welfare or personal welfare? Share your opinions in the comment box below!

Article by Maitri Mittal

Graphics by Sourav Kansal