What dented CYSS prospects: Loyalist siding with SOI, factionalism in party

Factionalism among the AAP-backed Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS) and the shift of loyalty by Tarun Sidhu to the SAD-backed Student Organisation of India (SOI) heavily dented their (CYSS) prospects to secure the top post in the Panjab University Campus Student Council on Thursday. Anurag Dalal, an Independent and National Student’s Union of India (NSUI) rebel, registered a historic win with a margin of 303 votes.

The 303 votes, which cost the CYSS it chance to win the presidential post after a year’s gap, could have been in its basket if their member had not shifted to the SOI. Tarun Sidhu, the only presidential candidate from the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET), was an active member of the CYSS before he shifted to the SOI camp. Sidhu secured 461 votes from his department, while Prince Chaudhary, the CYSS face for the top post, polled 464 votes. Dalal could only manage 301 votes from the UIET, the department with the highest number of votes.

According to sources, Sidhu wanted to run for the presidential seat and the party was also aware of the fact that he had a fair number of voters backing him in his department. With several contenders in line for ticket in the CYSS, Sidhu was reportedly taken to a senior SOI leader by a CYSS member who had joined the outfit in 2022 and was a prominent face then. “Tarun was from the UIET and had a good support there. Despite changing the party days before the poll, he secured 461 votes from there. The party should have stopped him from leaving. Had he stayed in the CYSS, voters backing him would have polled in our favour,” said a CYSS campus leader.

Another factor behind Chaudhary’s defeat was factionalism in the party. Many members were laying claim for ticket and a lot of push and pull went among them after which Chaudhary was chosen.

The other group, who were larger in strength and other members opposing Chaudhary’s selection were silenced a little after being given various posts in the party. The last-minute attempt to bring everyone together for canvassing could not work much.

NSUI attempt to defeat rebels failed

The National Student’s Union of India (NSUI), from which Anurag Dalal broke off along with Sikander Boora and other loyalists, could only get 501 votes for Rahul Nain, its president face. The party, on realising that it was not in the race for the top post, made a last-minute effort to pull down Dalal by its cadre votes polled to the CYSS. Observers claim it is true since the party trailed to sixth position in the race for presidential seat, but its vice-president candidate Archit Garg won by a margin of 1,035 votes, the secretary candidate remained second by a margin of just 343 votes and the joint secretary face polled 892 votes.