Winners of Last RUCSU Election

The last election of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) was held in 1989. Nearly three decades have passed since then. After 35 years, the much-anticipated election is set to take place again in 2025. The campus is now abuzz with discussions surrounding the election. Students’ gatherings are filled with tales of RUCSU’s past. Many are curious to know who emerged victorious in the last election.

The election fervor is palpable on the Rajshahi University campus as candidates engage in vibrant campaigns. However, the memories of the last election have almost faded into the dust of history due to the long gap. Still, students are eager to learn who held the leadership roles and who wore the crown of victory in that election.

It was the late 1980s—a turbulent time in politics, with waves of movements sweeping across the country. Even amidst that heated atmosphere, the RUCSU election took place on the Rajshahi University campus. Long queues of voters and spirited campaigns created a festive environment on campus.

Back then, RUCSU was not just a students’ union; it was the epicenter of students’ demands and aspirations. In the 1989 election, a group of young student leaders was elected, many of whom later played significant roles in Bangladesh’s national politics.

Those Elected in RUCSU’s Last Election

In the last RUCSU election (1989), Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi (now Senior Joint Secretary General of BNP) was elected Vice-President (VP), and Ruhul Kuddus Babu was elected General Secretary (GS). Additionally, Md. Abdul Kader Sarker was elected Pro-Vice-President (Pro-VP), Alamgir Hossain as Assistant General Secretary (AGS), Md. Sakilur Rahman Sohag as Sports Secretary, Mustafizur Ali Khan Pappu as Assistant Sports Secretary, Md. Shamsul Wase as Literature Secretary, and Md. Abdul Mannan as Assistant Literature Secretary.

The election also saw Azam Shantanu elected as Recreation Secretary, Imamul Azam Shahi as Assistant Recreation Secretary, Md. Saiful Islam as Common Room Secretary, Md. Kamruzzaman Fasi as Assistant Common Room Secretary, Britta Roy Deepa as Women’s Secretary, Mahbuba Yasmin Rita as Assistant Women’s Secretary, Zakirul Haque Titon as Magazine Secretary, Jagadish Roy Joni as Assistant Magazine Secretary, Md. Karim Shikdar as Social Welfare Secretary, and Aslam Sarker as Assistant Social Welfare Secretary.

Since 1989, RUCSU elections had become a lost chapter. For the current generation of students, it is merely a part of history. However, the upcoming election in 2025 is set to revive that history, adding a new chapter to student politics. The new leadership will be determined by the RUCSU election of 2025.

Nazmul Alam, a student of the History Department, said, “The last RUCSU election at Rajshahi University was held 35 years ago. Due to this long gap, current students know little about the previous leadership, the VP, or RUCSU’s history. This gap has been created due to a lack of information flow. The administration should make RUCSU’s history and relevant information accessible to students through archives, documents, and campaigns.”

On this matter, RUCSU’s Chief Election Commissioner, Professor Dr. F Nazrul Islam, told The Daily Campus, “We have provided students with a brief history of RUCSU. A list of elected VPs and GSs has been published. We have also organized a seminar titled ‘What is RUCSU and Why?’”

He added that a booklet was distributed to students during the seminar, stating, “The booklet contains extensive information about RUCSU. We are working to preserve RUCSU’s history.”