The alliance of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the Ambedkar Students’ Association (ASA), and the Tribal Students Forum (TSF) secured a clean sweep in the student union elections at the University of Hyderabad.
The election results, officially announced late Friday night, revealed that the alliance claimed all six elected posts, marking a significant achievement in student politics.
Mohammed Ateeq Ahmed, representing SFI and a student at the School of Humanities, emerged victorious as the President of the students’ union, garnering an impressive 1,880 votes. He expressed his gratitude, saying, “This win is a testament to the students’ faith in our alliance and its commitment to addressing their concerns. We are eager to work collaboratively to enhance the student experience at the University of Hyderabad.”
Ateeq Ahmed’s victory was notable for surpassing his opponent, Shaik Aayesha of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), by a margin of over 470 votes.
Aayesha, the first Muslim candidate of ABVP in the University of Hyderabad elections and affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), acknowledged the outcome, stating, “While we may have differing ideologies, I respect the democratic process. Congratulations to the winners, and I hope they fulfill the aspirations of the student community.”
Other key positions within the alliance included Jalli Akash as Vice President, Deepak Kumar Arya as General Secretary, Lavudi Bala Anjaneyulu as Joint Secretary, Samim Akter Sheikh as Cultural Secretary, and Athul as Sports Secretary.
Reflecting on their success, Jalli Akash commented, “This victory is a collective effort, reflecting the diverse voices within our alliance. We are committed to working together for the betterment of our university.”
The elections, held in February 2023 for the previous academic year, stood out as several universities postponed student elections due to the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite challenges, the University of Hyderabad proceeded with the electoral process.
The SFI-ASA-TSF alliance had previously won elections for the academic year disrupted by the pandemic.
