Bhubaneswar: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has taken an early lead in the students’ union elections held across colleges and universities in Odisha on Thursday after a gap of eight years.
According to reports till 7 pm, ABVP has registered victories in 79 educational institutions, while Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) has won in 49 colleges. The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and independent candidates have reportedly won in seven institutions each.
Reports said ABVP won polls in five out of seven universities in the state.However, the Higher Education Department is yet to officially confirm the final tally.
The department informed that as of 6.45 pm, a total of 153 colleges had declared results, with 1,398 candidates emerging as winners. Of them, 756 won uncontested while 642 were elected through voting.
Polling was held from 8 am to 2 pm on Thursday in 332 higher education institutions, including around 320 colleges and 12 universities, for the 2026-27 academic session. A total of 6,696 candidates contested — 6,358 in colleges and 338 in universities. Barring a few minor incidents, the campus polls were largely peaceful.
Tension prevailed at Rama Devi Women’s University in Bhubaneswar after BCJD president Ipsita Sahoo was arrested by Commissionerate Police, leading to a face-off between BCJD and ABVP workers.
Meanwhile, authorities declared sine die at Satapada Panchayat College in Puri district after multiple handmade bombs were hurled. No casualties or injuries were reported.
