BJP, Congress court youth amid Uttarakhand campus politics

With recruitment controversies and migration featuring prominently in campus debates, BJP, Congress and regional parties are seeking to connect with young voters.

Student politics in Uttarakhand is drawing renewed attention ahead of the 2027 Assembly election, with unemployment, recruitment irregularities, migration and access to higher education prominently featuring in campus discussions. Recent student union elections have highlighted the presence of BJP-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Congress backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and independent candidates across the State.

Student union elections for the 2026–27 academic session concluded on September 29 across government colleges and university campuses. ABVP secured key positions at several institutions, including MKP College in Dehradun, MPG College in Mussoorie and colleges in Almora and Bageshwar. An independent candidate won the president’s post in Nainital. The results have provided political parties with an indication of their student organisations’ presence on campuses, although student union voting does not necessarily reflect how students or their families will vote in the Assembly election.