The Congress party has officially appointed Vinod Jakhar as the National President of its student wing, the National Students' Union of India (NSUI). According to an official communication released by AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge approved the appointment with immediate effect. This marks a historic moment for Rajasthan's student politics, as Jakhar becomes the first leader from the state to head the national student organization. Prior to this elevation, Jakhar served as the State President of Rajasthan NSUI and has been a prominent face in student activism for several years.
Selection Process and Rahul Gandhi's Involvement
The selection of the new NSUI chief followed a rigorous two-day evaluation process held in New Delhi this week. Approximately 15 student leaders from across the country were shortlisted for the top post. According to party officials, senior leader Rahul Gandhi personally participated in group discussions with the candidates and conducted individual interviews to assess their vision for the organization. Jakhar had previously reached the final stages of the selection process in earlier rounds and had interviewed with Rahul Gandhi twice before. His consistent performance and organizational experience eventually secured him the national leadership role.
Political Journey and Rajasthan University Legacy
Vinod Jakhar's political career is rooted in the competitive environment of Rajasthan University. In 2018, after being denied a ticket by the NSUI for the Rajasthan University Students' Union (RUSU) elections, he contested as a rebel candidate and won the presidency. This victory was significant as he became the first student leader from the Dalit community to hold the post of President at Rajasthan University. Following this success, he was integrated back into the mainstream and appointed as the State President of Rajasthan NSUI, a role he held for the past two years while strengthening the organization's base in the state.
Recent Activism and Ideological Stance
Jakhar has been noted for his aggressive stance on ideological issues within university campuses. A few months ago, he led a major protest against an RSS-affiliated event held at Rajasthan University. The demonstration resulted in his arrest and subsequent imprisonment, which garnered significant attention within the Congress party's national leadership. His willingness to engage in direct political struggle and his commitment to the party's core ideology are cited as key factors behind his promotion to the national stage. His leadership is expected to focus on mobilizing students against current educational policies and campus-related issues.
Organizational Context and Internal Dynamics
The appointment of Vinod Jakhar comes amid reports of internal shifts within the NSUI leadership structure, while there had been ongoing discussions regarding the coordination between the outgoing president Varun Choudhary and the organization's in-charge, Kanhaiya Kumar. Reports suggest that while applications for the post were invited as early as September last year, the final decision was deferred until now. Observers note that the selection of Jakhar reflects the party leadership's intent to bring in a leader with a proven track record of winning independent elections and managing large-scale student movements. Jakhar now faces the task of coordinating NSUI activities across various states ahead of upcoming academic sessions.