AAP
National News: AAP’s student wing, Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP), has stepped in to support Delhi University students who dream of contesting student union elections but lack the money to do so. Announcing the move, Delhi Pradesh Convenor Saurabh Bharadwaj said the initiative aims to ensure that deserving candidates from ordinary backgrounds get a fair shot. Students can apply between August 15 and August 25, making it easier for capable individuals to compete against candidates backed by wealth and power.
ASAP has laid out a transparent process for applying. Students wishing to contest DUSU must submit the support of 50 peers from five different colleges, while college-level candidates need backing from 10 peers. Along with this, candidates must submit a one-minute video appealing for votes and a 200-500 word agenda explaining their vision and strategy. The idea is to judge merit, communication skills, and leadership potential rather than flashy displays of wealth.
The mission behind this move is to strengthen democracy from the grassroots level through clean student politics. According to Bharadwaj, student politics shapes the future political mindset of young people. At 17 or 18, when students enter college, they form their first impressions of democracy, and this must be rooted in fairness, integrity, and vision. By removing the influence of big cars, lavish spending, and party muscle, ASAP wants to bring politics back to real issues.
Bharadwaj drew parallels between today’s student politics and a corrupted food chain, where the introduction of “poison” early on damages the entire system. He said that today’s elections are often swayed by those who host expensive events, take students to movies, or offer freebies. This culture teaches young voters to exchange their vote for entertainment or gifts, creating habits that persist into adulthood. ASAP’s goal is to end this cycle before it deepens.
ASAP leaders emphasized that the selection will be based on ability, not assets. Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha said that a student’s worth will be measured by leadership, public speaking, and dedication to causes, not by expensive cars or party funding. The aim is to nurture student leaders who believe in public service rather than self-promotion.
The initiative will not be limited to colleges with formal student union elections. ASAP plans to involve colleges where elections do not take place, connecting students to the movement for alternative politics. The vision extends beyond Delhi University to other universities in Delhi and even across India, with the hope of inspiring a national shift in youth politics. Call To Action
ASAP is inviting every student who wants to bring change in politics to be part of this movement. They believe that if change is to happen, it must start in colleges. The initiative is positioned as a small but significant step toward building a transparent, student-driven democracy, starting with this year’s Delhi University elections.
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