Chatra Dal set to announce inclusive panel for JnUCSU!

The panel for Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) backed by the university unit Chatra Dal is in the final stage, comprising top five leaders of the unit along with coordination from the central body. Reliable sources said Chatra Dal and Chhatra Adhikar Parishad are jointly forming an inclusive panel for the 21 posts. Besides leaders of the political outfits, a number of non-political and familiar faces will also be included in the panel.

The inclusive panel of JnUCSU has already sparked widespread discussion and criticism compared to the recently held students’ union polls in other universities. The Chatra Dal-backed panel is scheduled to be announced tomorrow (Monday, 17 November) at 12 noon in front of Shaheed Rafiq Bhaban of the university. Voting for JnUCSU election will be held on 22 December next.

Sources said among the top three posts in Chatra Dal panel, A K M Rakib, president of university unit Chhatra Adhikar Parishad, is likely to get nomination for VP post, Khadijatul Kobra, a student of 2019-20 session of Political Science Department and newly announced joint convener of unit Chatra Dal who was jailed earlier, for GS post and Tanjil Ahmed, convener member of unit Chatra Dal, for AGS post.

It is learnt that the university unit Chatra Dal fell into trouble following the sudden death of its leader Hasibur Rahman Hasib last month. As the organisation is failing to find a suitable candidate for VP post from its own ranks to win the election, it is trying to strengthen the panel by bringing in Chhatra Adhikar Parishad president A K M Rakib.

Meanwhile, screenshots are circulating on Facebook over rumours that the person likely to contest for VP post in Chatra Dal panel had opposed the construction of a mural of Begum Khaleda Zia on JnU campus. The screenshots show that on 8 October last year he wrote in JnUCSU Chai group, “Nameplate can be there but I don’t want a mural.” Opposing the mural of Begum Khaleda Zia, he also took out several torch processions. Photos of the processions show him marching alongside Shibir-leftist and other students. The issue has triggered discussion and criticism within Chatra Dal.

On the other hand, Chatra Dal leaders and activists alleged that despite having capable candidates in the party, outsiders are being brought in, depriving dedicated and qualified activists of their own organisation. Rumours about the panel have sparked intense discussion and criticism on Facebook. Junior activists have expressed strong resentment.

Tagging the top five leaders of unit Chatra Dal on Facebook, convener member Sabbir Hossain wrote, “When there were not even 50 people on the streets and campus, we from the 18th batch regularly carried out programmes with 15/20 people. And this is how you reward activists in difficult times. Bravo. There is still time, brothers, if you want votes from existing students, consider a few capable students from the 18th batch.”

Another convener member Sourav Ahmed expressed anger, writing, “Chatra Dal panel will come from Chatra Dal. If leaders are brought from outside for the election, I will tell the leaders to dissolve the Chatra Dal committee. It is definitelyolutely unjust to run election with critics instead of those who follow you. This committee has not done even one good job yet. Don’t make rumours true and create new stigma, don’t burn your own forehead. If you give a wrong panel, we will also see.”

Chatra Dal convener member Sher Ali wrote, “Since coming to campus I knew JnU Chatra Dal is very strong and I was hopeful that in the upcoming JnUCSU election JnU Chatra Dal would perform much better than other campuses but the bankruptcy you have shown is hard to accept. So-called intellectual leaders will bring people from outside and give panel, fine. Tomorrow will you even find people to walk behind you? Don’t you want leadership of Chatra Dal to emerge from JnU? Isn’t this a ploy to keep JnU Chatra Dal crippled?”

Meanwhile, senior Chatra Dal leaders are advising juniors in the interest of the organisation. Joint convener Raihan Hossain Apu wrote, “There are only 21 posts in JnUCSU. Thousands of our leaders and activists naturally have aspirations and will continue to have them. But reality must also be understood. I myself hoped to contest JnUCSU election. Due to obstacles, countless seniors including me had to sacrifice personal aspirations. But only for the interest of the organisation we remain pledged to work tirelessly.”

Chatra Dal joint convener Ariful Islam Arif wrote, “In politics everything does not happen according to one’s own wish, thinking so is wrong, and considering oneself the only capable is extreme foolishness. Whoever represents Chatra Dal in JnUCSU in future, we are firmly pledged to give them maximum effort and cooperation.”

In another development, university unit Chatra Dal joint convener Md Tauhid Chowdhury today collected nomination paper as an independent candidate for VP post. He is a student of 2015-16 session of the Department of Drama and Dramatics.

After collecting the nomination, Tauhid Chowdhury said, “I am contesting for VP post as an independent. However, I hope Chatra Dal will give me place in the party panel. Even if they don’t, I will contest as an independent candidate. My only goal is to work for the welfare of students and represent them.”

Meanwhile, university unit Chatra Dal member secretary Shamsul Arefin said the panel is yet to be finalised. “Our panel is not final yet. We are in a meeting. There are two more meetings. Decision will be taken later,” he said.

Regarding some Chatra Dal leaders collecting nomination papers separately, he said they have done it personally. Anyone can collect personally.

Unit Chatra Dal convener Mehedi Hasan Himel disconnected the phone saying he was in a meeting.

Earlier, according to the schedule announced on 5 November, final voter list was published on 12 November. Four persons collected nomination papers on 13 November. Distribution of nomination papers continued on 16 November and will continue till 17 November. Nomination papers will be submitted on 17 and 18 November, scrutiny on 19 and 20 November, primary candidate list will be published on 23 November and objections from candidates will be received and disposed of on 24, 25 and 26 November.

Besides, dope test of candidates will be held on 27 and 30 November and final candidate list will be published on 3 December. Afterwards, nomination papers can be withdrawn till 4, 7 and 8 December. List of withdrawn candidates will be published on 9 December. Candidates will be able to campaign from 9 to 19 December and voting will be held on 22 December. According to the schedule, vote counting will be done on the election day and results will be announced between 22 and 23 December.