Chandigarh, Sept. 4 — The National Students Union of India (NSUI) expelled four members, including former Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) president Anurag Dalal, on Wednesday for what it called “anti-party activities.”
In a letter issued late at night after the student body election results, NSUI national president Varun Choudhary announced the expulsion of Dalal, former PUCSC vice-president Archit Garg, Chaitanya Ror, and Sagar Khatri. The letter also relieved Dilip Choudhary of his duty as the party’s Chandigarh incharge.
Dalal, who had only rejoined the NSUI on Aug. 19, was accused of backing independent PUCSC presidential candidate Sumit Sharma instead of NSUI’s official nominee Parabjot Singh Gill. Days before the election, NSUI national secretary and PU incharge Dilip Choudhary had issued Dalal a show-cause notice over his actions.
On election day, as counting began, Dilip Choudhary circulated the expulsion letter naming Dalal, Garg, Ror and Khatri. According to the party, Garg and Ror supported the newly formed Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), while Khatri, a member of the association, contested for the joint secretary post. Khatri secured 1,093 votes, losing to Mohit Manderana, who polled 3,138 votes.
The expelled members said they would appeal the decision. Meanwhile, NSUI’s Varun Choudhary issued a statement congratulating Manderana, who had been in alliance with NSUI, on his win. He also blamed internal rifts for weakening the party’s performance.
“The division of votes is due to the opportunism of a few, which handed victory to the ABVP,” Choudhary said.
Despite the setback, he insisted that NSUI would remain the principal opposition force to ABVP at Panjab University. “In the coming time, we will unite all pro-Constitution forces, intensify the struggle for students’ rights, and hold the authority’s puppet ABVP accountable to ensure a more inclusive, democratic, and vibrant campus life at Panjab University,” Choudhary added.
