SFI, KSU claim gains in college union polls in Ernakulam
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) both reported advances in college union elections held on Tuesday across institutions affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University in Ernakulam district, with each student organisation claiming breakthroughs and strongholds in key campuses.
Celebrations broke out at several colleges as results came in. At Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam, SFI’s newly elected chairperson Praneel Raj marked the victory on campus alongside his grandmother Radha during jubilant scenes.
SFI highlights gains, sweeps Maharaja’s College
The SFI said it had posted strong results district-wide, asserting in a communication that it performed impressively in 32 of the 41 colleges in Ernakulam. It reported a comprehensive sweep at Maharaja’s College, where SFI candidates won all seats in the union.
Among the key takeaways for the Left-affiliated student organisation was regaining control of the union at Union Christian College (U.C. College), Aluva, from the KSU after a gap of six years. The SFI also said it won the elections at Indira Gandhi College, Nellikuzhi, and secured 13 of the 14 seats at St. Peter’s College, Kolencherry.
In addition, SFI reported victories at a string of prominent institutions, including Government Law College, Ernakulam; St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam; Bharata Mata College, Thrikkakara; KMM College, Thrikkakara; St. Paul’s College, Kalamassery; MES College, Kunnukara; Jai Bharat College, Perumbavoor; St. Kuriakose College, Perumbavoor; and Mar Elias College, Kothamangalam.
KSU reports recoveries, retains key strongholds
The Congress-affiliated KSU countered with its own tally, saying in a district leadership communication that it had wrested several unions from the SFI. According to the KSU, it regained the unions at Cochin College; Mar Athanasius College, Kothamangalam; Mount Carmel College, Kothamangalam; Government Kesari College, Paravur; IHRD College, Puthenvelikkara; and Sienna College, Edakochi.
The KSU also listed a series of campuses where it said it had retained control of the student unions: Sacred Heart College, Thevara; Sree Sankara College, Kalady; Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha; MES College, Marampally; Al Ameen College, Edathala; KMEA College, Pookattupady; MES College, Edathala; St. Anne’s College, Angamaly; KMM College, Kumbalam; and BMC College of Arts, Aluva.
Reflecting the competitive nature of this year’s contests, the KSU further claimed the chairperson’s post at St. Peter’s College, Kolencherry—where the SFI had earlier noted it won 13 of 14 seats—and reported winning six seats, including the vice-chairperson’s position, at KMM College, Thrikkakara.
Mixed results underscore a closely fought round
Tuesday’s results indicate a closely contested round of student union polls across Ernakulam’s MG University-affiliated colleges. While the SFI pointed to breadth of victories and key flips—including the sweep at Maharaja’s College and the return to the helm at U.C. College, Aluva—the KSU emphasised its own recoveries in institutions across Kothamangalam, Paravur and Edakochi, alongside the retention of several long-held bases in Thevara, Kalady, Muvattupuzha and elsewhere.
Both organisations attributed their performance to sustained campaigns and organisational strength on campus, as reflected in the communications issued after counting concluded.
Significance
The parallel claims by the SFI and KSU highlight shifting dynamics in campus politics within Ernakulam’s MG University ecosystem, with each organisation notching signature wins while ceding ground in other pockets. With results split across major colleges and leadership posts, the balance of influence appears finely poised heading into the new academic union term.
