Ankit Bidhan Wins Panjab University Student Council Presidency

Research scholar Ankit Bidhan of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) won the presidency of the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council on August 31, 2026. Bidhan secured 3,149 votes, defeating Aadil Brar of the AAP-backed Association of Students for Alternative Politics, who received 2,637 votes. Other candidates in the four-way contest included Gurman Singh Sidhu of the National Students’ Union of India and Darshpreet Singh of Sath.

The victory was achieved through an alliance between the ABVP and the Student Organisation of India, the student wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal. Satish Poonia, the BJP Punjab In-Charge, stated that the result reflects a desire among Punjab's youth for a "double-engine" government. This win marks the first time in the university's history that the ABVP has held the top post for two consecutive terms.

Polling began at 9:30 am under heavy security, with the Chandigarh Police deploying over 500 personnel across the campus. While student turnout was high, protests erupted at the Department of Laws over allegations that voters were denied entry. The situation escalated when protesters allegedly pushed university security staff, requiring police intervention. Voting concluded at 11:30 am, with counting taking place at the Gymnasium Hall before the final results were announced.