AAP's student wing to back deserving DU candidates lacking funds for union polls

Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) youth wing on Friday announced to support Delhi University students wishing to contest union elections but unable to afford the costs.

Applications will be accepted from August 15 to 25, AAP's youth wing, Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP) said in an official statement.

AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj said the move aims to end the dominance of money and muscle power in campus politics.

"If a student has the ability but lacks money, we will back them purely on merit. This is the beginning of a model political process, ensuring that students' idealism is not destroyed by free movie tickets and lavish parties," he said.

Applicants for DUSU posts must secure 50 proposers from at least five colleges and college-level candidates will need 10 proposers from their campus. They must also submit a one-minute video appealing for votes and a 200 to 500 word statement of purpose.

Bharadwaj said student union elections are the first direct experience of democracy for young people and shape political culture.

"But today, contesting requires luxury cars, fleets of vehicles, and extravagant events. This is where political corruption begins," he added.

AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha said, "This is a beginning where talent will be measured by ability, not cars or cash. Leadership skills, oratory, and merit will be the criteria. If we want clean politics, it must start from colleges."

The voting for the DUSU elections will be held on September 18, with results on September 19.