Patna: For the first time in its 107-year history, Patna University has elected a woman as its students’ union president, marking a historic shift in student politics. Maithili Mrinalini, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) candidate, led the charge for Nari Shakti, as female candidates secured three out of five key positions in the central panel.
Maithili clinched victory in a closely contested race, defeating National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) candidate Manoranjan Kumar Raja by 603 votes. She secured 3,524 votes, while Manoranjan managed 2,921.
Saloni Raj and Soumya Srivastava Shine in Election Results
In another significant outcome, independent candidate Saloni Raj emerged victorious as general secretary, securing a commanding 4,274 votes. ABVP’s Ankit Kumar finished a distant second with 1,899 votes.
For the treasurer’s post, NSUI’s Soumya Srivastava claimed victory with 2,707 votes, defeating Omjay Yadav, who received 1,806 votes.
The joint secretary’s position was won by NSUI-backed Rohit Singh, who defeated Jan Suraj-supported Anu Kumari by 182 votes. However, the result was met with controversy, as Anu’s sister staged a protest at the polling center, alleging election irregularities.
Close Contest for Vice President Post
A fierce battle unfolded for the vice president’s post, with independent candidate Dheeraj Kumar and ABVP’s Sagun Kumar locked in a tight contest late into the night. The final outcome for this position is yet to be officially confirmed.
Diverse Representation in the Central Panel
With NSUI and independent candidates securing two posts each and ABVP winning one, the election results highlight a diverse representation in student leadership. Notably, Maithili, Saloni, and Soumya—all from Patna Women’s College—have made history with their victories, reinforcing the growing influence of women in student politics at Patna University.
