With September 3 around the corner, Panjab University stands on the brink of another defining moment in its student politics. (File photo)Written by Abhishek GoyatThe stage is set for the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) elections on September 3, and the buzz on campus is not just about who will emerge victorious, but whether the iconic voting records of recent years will finally be broken.The general secretary’s post holds a special place in the PU’s electoral history. In 2023, Deepak Goyat of Indian National Students Organisation (INSO) stormed to victory with a record 4,431 votes, defeating his nearest rival by a massive margin of 2,329 votes. This remains the highest-ever tally secured by any candidate for any post in the history of PUCSC. Even after two years, neither his vote count nor his winning margin has been matched.What makes the story even more significant is that the general secretary’s seat has been dominated by the INSO for three consecutive years — in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Last year, INSO’s Vineet Yadav continued the streak by winning the post with 3,298 votes, though still far short of Goyat’s towering record. As the 2025 polls approach, the big question is: can INSO make it four in a row, and will any candidate come close to challenging the 4,431 benchmark?Meanwhile, the president’s post has produced electrifying contests. In 2023, National Students’ Union of India’s (NSUI’s) Jatinder Singh clinched the top seat with 3,002 votes, defeating Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti’s (CYSS’s) Divyansh Thakur by a record margin of 603 votes — the largest winning gap in recent years. In 2024, history was created when Anurag Dalal, a former NSUI rebel, became PU’s first independent president, securing 3,433 votes — the highest tally ever for the post — though his margin of victory was a much narrower 303 votes against CYSS’s Prince Chaudhary.As campaigning intensifies, student organisations are pulling out all stops with rallies, debates, hostel visits, and social media campaigns. Political watchers say this year’s fight is about more than just winning seats; it’s about whether these long-standing records can finally be rewritten.“INSO has made the general secretary’s post its fortress for three straight years. But the bigger curiosity is whether anyone will ever touch Goyat’s 4,431 votes. That record has stood like a mountain,” a senior student observer said.Story continues below this adWith September 3 around the corner, Panjab University stands on the brink of another defining moment in its student politics. Whether the results bring continuity or shatter old records, one thing is certain — the 2025 elections will be watched with more anticipation than ever before.(The author is an intern with The Indian Express)Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Punjab