ABVP, BCJD claim victories in Odisha student union elections

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) on Thursday (October 15, 2026) claimed victories for their respective candidates in student union elections held across colleges and universities in Odisha after a gap of eight years.According to the Higher Education Department, 1,398 candidates had been declared winners in elections across 153 colleges by Thursday (October 15) evening. Of these, 642 won contested seats, while 756 were elected unopposed. However, a clear picture of the performance of student organisations affiliated with different political parties had yet to emerge.While the ABVP claimed a clean sweep in Ganjam district and said it had dominated in Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj districts, the BCJD said its candidates had won the presidents’ posts at four major universities, including Ravenshaw University in Cuttack and Rama Devi Women’s University in Bhubaneswar. The response of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress, could not be obtained.In most colleges and universities, the contest was between the ABVP and the BCJD. Both organisations accused each other of using violence and influence to win the elections.“The Bharatiya Janata Party has misused the government machinery to ensure the victory of ABVP candidates in student union elections. Fearing the growing support for the BCJD, the BJP government has got BCJD president Ipsita Sahu arrested,” said Biju Janata Dal spokesperson Lenin Mohanty.“In many places, the BJP has abducted BCJD candidates, which is highly condemnable,” he alleged. Published - October 16, 2026 09:08 am IST