Election conflict in MBPG College, revolt in ABVP leads to triangular contest
Haldwani: Political activities have intensified regarding the student union elections in the main MBPG College of Kumaon. This time the contest for the post of President is likely to be interesting. Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has made Dheeraj Bisht its official candidate, while National Students Union of India (NSUI) has placed its bets on Mehul Sah. Former college unit president Aryan Belwal, who was associated with ABVP, has announced to contest the elections as an independent after not getting the ticket. Due to this, the election for the post of President has become a triangular situation.
NSUI has been waiting for a long time to win the post of Student Union President in MBPG College. In the year 2014-15, Devendra Negi had won the election for the post of President on NSUI ticket. After this, no candidate of the organization could win the post of President. This time the organization has started its efforts to make a comeback by making Mehul Sah as its candidate. NSUI faces the challenge of ending this wait that has been going on for almost 12 years.
On the other hand, ABVP is eyeing to win the post of President for the third consecutive time. In the last two elections, ABVP candidates have won the post of President. In the 2025 student union elections, ABVP’s Abhishek Goswami had won by securing 1,738 votes in a triangular contest. His nearest rival Kamal Bora had got 1,593 votes. This time the organization has fielded Dheeraj Bisht and has intensified election preparations to achieve its third consecutive victory.
However, this time the challenge before ABVP is not only from NSUI. The rebellion that broke out within the organization after the ticket distribution has complicated the electoral equation. Along with Dheeraj Bisht, Aryan Belwal was also contending for the post of President. When the organization gave ticket to Dheeraj, Aryan announced to contest as an independent candidate.
After Aryan’s decision, the displeasure of many ABVP officials and workers also came to the fore. According to media reports, many people associated with the organization offered to resign in protest against the ticket distribution. Aryan’s supporters said that he has been active in the organization for a long time and he should have been made a candidate. On the other hand, ABVP leadership said that the candidate has been selected after deliberations and efforts will be made to convince the angry workers.
An attempt was also made by ABVP to convince Aryan. On Sunday, leaders associated with the organization and BJP tried to talk to him. State level officials of ABVP clarified that Dheeraj Bisht is the authorized candidate of the organization and the party will now contest him. It was also said that efforts to persuade Aryan should be continued.
In case Aryan remains in the independent field, the equation of votes in the election for the post of President may change. Now on one side is Dheeraj Bisht of ABVP, on the other side is Mehul Sah of NSUI and on the third side is independent Aryan Belwal. With all three candidates in the fray, a picture of a triangular contest for the post of Student Union President is emerging.
There is also a history of victory of independent candidates in MBPG College. Earlier, candidates who had contested as independent candidates after not getting tickets had won the post of president. In the year 2014, Sanjay Rawat and in 2016 Neeraj Mehra were elected president by contesting as independent elections. For this reason, this time the independent candidature of Aryan Belwal is also being considered an important part of the electoral equation.
The issue of reserving 50 percent posts for girl students in this election is also under discussion. Due to the reservation system, both the major student organizations have also faced challenges in deciding candidates for other posts. With the announcement of the presidential candidates, the publicity and student contact campaign in the college campus has intensified.
Now all eyes are on September 29. The election result will decide whether ABVP wins the president’s post for the third consecutive time, NSUI makes a comeback after a long gap or independent candidate Aryan Belwal brings a new twist to the electoral equation. At present, the student union elections of MBPG College have reached an interesting situation with three major contenders in the fray.