Dozen Leaders in Discussion for Chhatra Dal Top Leadership

Out of the last five central committees of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (BNP's primary wing), four have managed to survive for durations slightly more or less than two years. The tenure of the latest Rakib-Nasir committee officially completed its two-year term on March 1. Among the last five committees, the Rajib-Akram committee served the longest duration, lasting nearly five years.

According to the unwritten constitution of this BNP affiliate, the term for the Central Committee is 2 years, while university and district-level committees have a term of one year. However, some committees have been seen to persist year after year beyond their expiration.

According to organizational sources, the current leadership faced criticism for several reasons: the inclusion of "my-men" (personal loyalists) of the top two leaders in the 260-member full committee, internal conflicts, and a total debacle in the student union elections of almost every public university in the country, including Dhaka University. Amidst this, the committee’s tenure has ended. Following the expiration, a demand for a new committee and fresh leadership has arisen within the organization. Potential candidates for positions in that committee have already begun their lobbying. Relevant sources indicate that preparations for the announcement of the central committee are in the final stages. It could be announced at any time.

It has been learned that as soon as the tenure of the central committee led by Rakib-Nasir ended on March 1, a rush for new leadership began. Various equations, lobbying, and discussions are ongoing within the organization surrounding the two most important top posts—President and General Secretary.

"The current generation is the Gen-Z generation. Chhatra Dal is known as a 'smart' student organization in the student politics of Bangladesh. Those who can understand the minds of Gen-Z, realize what young students expect from an organization, and take steps and work plans accordingly should come into the new leadership of Chhatra Dal." — Professor Dr. ABM Obaidul Islam, former Central Education Secretary of the BNP.

On March 1, 2024, a 7-member partial committee of the Chhatra Dal Central Parliament was approved with Rakibul Islam Rakib as President and Nasir Uddin Nasir as General Secretary. Later, on June 15 of the same year, a 260-member partial full committee was approved. Subsequently, allegations arose that while trying to accommodate the favorites of the top two leaders, more than a hundred qualified and dedicated candidates—who were "tested" and burdened with legal cases—did not find a place. When the deprived leaders took to the streets several times, the matter remained confined within party assurances.

On one hand, candidate leaders are spending busy time in lobbying and canvassing. They are making themselves known by attending programs of Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, influential leaders of the party's Standing Committee, and Ministers. Simultaneously, they are regularly giving time to activists through hangouts, Iftars, and showdowns at Dhaka University. Furthermore, they are bringing forward past events of movements, struggles, legal cases, assaults, jail time, and oppression from the time they were out of power on their social media. Many are also highlighting their participation in major national movements, including the July Movement, and various student-friendly activities.

Inquiry reveals that at least a dozen potential candidates are in discussion to attain the top leadership positions for the upcoming formation of the Chhatra Dal committee.

Organizational sources say that after a long one-and-a-half decades, the BNP has returned to the track of state power through victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election held last month. Due to being out of power for a long time, leaders and activists of the party and its affiliates had to endure massive oppression and persecution. Many had to give their lives. The activists of Chhatra Dal were not exempt from this.

Consequently, as the initiative to form a new committee has begun after going into government, a new expectation has been created among the organization's workers. Specifically, the names of several leaders active in Dhaka University and other large universities are being discussed more prominently.

According to sources, the potential candidates include several leaders from the 'Super Five' of the current central committee, as well as leaders holding various important responsibilities. Besides, some former central leaders are also being considered for the potential top posts. The names of several leaders from the 'Super Five' of the Dhaka University (DU) unit—the number one organizational unit of Chhatra Dal—are also in the discussion.

Activists of the organization expect that this time, priority might be given to dedicated, tested, and loyal leaders in the selection of leadership. They are emphasizing determining the new leadership by giving importance to active roles in past movements, organizational skills, and acceptability among the student community.

Several BNP leaders stated that to energize the organizational activities, a combination of youth and experience might be kept in the new leadership. In this case, besides the dedicated and tested ones, leaders who can understand the minds of Gen-Z are likely to receive priority.

However, responsible leaders of the organization refused to make any official comments regarding the potential candidates. They say that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is the organizational guardian of Chhatra Dal; therefore, he will take the final decision regarding the new committee or organizational matters himself.

Those in Discussion for Top Posts

According to party sources, a dozen leaders are in discussion for the new committee as President and General Secretary. Among them, for the post of President, those leading the race are:

• Amanullah Aman: Organizing Secretary of the Rakib-Nasir committee (Super Five).

• Mominul Islam Jisan: Joint General Secretary.

• Sharif Prodhan Shuvo: Publicity Secretary (Joint General Secretary rank). (All of them were admitted to Dhaka University in the 2009–10 session).

• Khorshed Alam Sohel: Current Central Vice President and former President of the DU unit (also from this session).

On the other hand, for the post of General Secretary, the following are in strong discussion:

• Central Joint General Secretaries: Md. Raju Ahmed, Gazi Md. Saddam Hossain, Minhaj Ahmed Prince, and Tareq Hasan Mamun.

• Mahmud Islam Kajol: Information and Research Secretary.

• Deen Islam Khan: Former leader of the DU Chhatra Dal, Communication Coordinator of the BNP Media Cell, and Political Fellow at the German-based Konrad-Adenauer-School for Young Politicians.

Several leaders from the 'Super Seven' of the current Dhaka University unit committee are also in discussion for the General Secretary post. They are:

• Nahiduzzaman Shipon: General Secretary.

• Anisur Rahman Khandaker Anik: Vice President (2010–11 session).

• Nasir Uddin Shawn: Vice President (2011–12 session). (Shipon is also from the 2011–12 session).

• Other Central Joint Secretaries: Md. Torikul Islam Tarik (2010-11 session) and Mohammad Abdur Rahim Roni (2011-12 session).

When asked about the new leadership of Chhatra Dal, Dr. ABM Obaidul Islam, Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University and former Central Education Secretary of the BNP, told The Daily Campus: "The current generation is Gen-Z. Chhatra Dal is known as a smart student organization. I personally believe that those who are courageous, dedicated, and meritorious, and who can win the hearts of students and establish themselves as acceptable leaders, should come into leadership. I firmly believe our leader and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman thinks even better than us. He knows about everyone and will bring the appropriate ones to the new leadership."

The DU teacher, who was a victim of oppression during the past "fascist" Awami League regime, added: "Many comment that the current committee has become stagnant or failed, but I do not think so. You know the national election happened recently and our party, the BNP, won by the people's mandate. Naturally, party activities slow down a bit after coming to power; this is normal. Just as the BNP is taking time in government, Chhatra Dal is also taking some time before reorganizing. Moreover, after the fall of fascism, student organizations no longer need to be on the streets for movements 24/7."

Amanullah Aman, Central Organizing Secretary, told The Daily Campus: "After the fall of the fascist system, Chhatra Dal is practicing politics by capturing the collective aspirations of students to build a self-reliant Bangladesh based on social justice. We had negative results in student unions due to various reasons. We are analyzing those and focusing on how Chhatra Dal will bring back its past tradition in future student unions."

Sharif Prodhan Shuvo, who is in charge of the office and holds Joint General Secretary rank, said: "Chhatra Dal is an organization that embodies educational progress and student thoughts. I have been directly involved since entering DU. I was a victim of torture in 'torture cells' by terrorists led by Chhatra League's Golam Rabbany. I am a worker who carries the ideology of Shahid Zia and the spirit of the Mother of Democracy, Begum Khaleda Zia, and our Chairman Tarique Rahman."

Md. Raju Ahmed, Central Joint General Secretary, said: "A new committee is an organizational process. The grassroots will be happy if those who were in the field during movements are given the committee. It can happen anytime the organizational guardian wishes."

Mahmud Islam Kajol, Information and Research Secretary, said: "Regular committee activities will bring organizational dynamism. Since the current term is over, new leadership will inspire hope. However, the leadership should be youth-based, long-tested, and capable of nation-building."

Deen Islam Khan, candidate for new leadership, told The Daily Campus: "This is a crucial time. Leadership selection is not just an organizational matter but a matter of future direction. Chhatra Dal's first responsibility should be to prioritize student interests—session jams, housing crises, campus security, and job preparation. If we only echo central politics, the distance with the student community will grow. Leadership must be time-befitting and aware of students' real demands."