Bangladesh Chhatra League leaders in race for top posts

Leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League or BCL are engaged in lobbying to secure top posts in the organisation with its conference in sight.

However, both present and former leaders said just being in so-called syndicate leaders’ good books will not ensure top posts this time.

The two-day biannual conference of the ruling party’s student wing is scheduled to begin on Friday.

The present committee was formed in July 2015 with Saifur Rahman Shohag and SM Zakir Hossain as its president and general secretary.

It is not clear yet how the new committee will be formed—either through councilors’ direct vote or a consensus among contenders.

“We have already received a list of candidates. According to Chhatra League’s selection system, they will be asked to try to reach a point of consensus. A press release will be sent out once the committee is selected,” Awami League President Sheikh Hasina had said earlier.

The prime minister also mentioned the possibility of using ‘transparent ballot boxes for voting’ although adding ‘it is troublesome.’

“They can be influenced by many factors in election. However, all are looking for ‘proper leadership’ and will take alternative measure if there is none,” Hasina said.

A ‘syndicate’ of leaders has been in discussion for more than a decade regarding the selection of Chhatra league leaders.

However, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader bluntly said the ‘syndicate’ will not work out this time.

“I want selfless, eligible leaders and not a committee patronised by someone; Chhatra League will not be run by any syndicate,” he said while speaking on the Dhaka University Chhatra League conference on April 29.

Bangladesh Chhatra League has been criticised for conflicts and crimes.

Even Awami League leaders including Obaidul Quader criticised Chhatra League on many occasions, especially for “intruders’ infiltration”.

At least 325 nomination forms have been sold for the position of president and general secretary, according to Chhatra League leaders.

ALLEGATIONS ARE RIFE

Most candidates have allegations against leaders.

Education and Reading Club Secretary Golam Rabbani is accused of spreading self-propaganda through online portals.

Many people have pointed fingers at Central Disaster and Relief Secretary Iyaz-Al-Riyad as his first cousin is the secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami in Ahmadpur Union in Bhola.

Training Affairs Secretary Mazharul Islam Shamim’s father is the president of BNP’s Chandpur ward. Also, his first cousin Hafez Humayun Kabir is former secretary of Chhatra Shibir the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami in Cumilla.

Deputy Secretary for Student Affairs Khaja Khayer Shujon belongs to the same neighbourhood as Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and identifies himself as an aide to the minister.

Deputy Secretary Khadimul Bashar Joy is known as an aide to Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman on the campus.

Programme and Planning Secretary Rakib Hossain is known to be patronised by former Central Chhatra League Secretary General Siddiqui Nazmul. He is also close to incumbent Secretary General Zakir Hossain.

Aminul Islam Bulbul, former organising secretary of BCL’s Zahurul Haque Hall unit, is accused in a murder case.

Hafizur Rahman, former president of Sir AF Rahman Hall, is known for his business of drinking water and also an alleged extortionist in Neelkhet.

Motahar Hossain Prince, former general secretary of Dhaka University, is accused of using his influence in bidding.

Organising Secretary BM Ehtesham had enrolled in Dhaka University in the 2007-2008 session, but dropped out in the sophomore year.

Although the constitution of Chhatra League mentions the highest age of members as 27, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina suggested increasing it to 29 years during the 28th conference of Chhatra League.

Central Vice-President Mehdi Hasan Rony, Additional Secretary General Sayem Khan and Joint Secretary General Didar Mohammed Nizamul Islam are still on the scene although they have crossed the age limit.

Although members of the Dhaka University unit have dominance over the Chhatra League Central Committee, insiders speculated that leaders from other institutions may secure the top positions.

President Liakat Shikder and Secretary General Nazrul Islam Babu did not belong to Dhaka University but were students of Dhaka College and Jagannath University.

Former President of Dhaka Metropolitan South Chhatra League Bayezid Ahmed Khan, BUET Chhatra League General Secretary Abu Sayeed Kanak, former organising secretary of Jagannath University Suranjan Ghosh, Jagannath University Vice-President Apel Mahmud are vying for top posts in the student wing of the ruling party.

“Earlier junior leaders were awarded with top posts without following the chain of command only to serve personal interests. This has created a void in leadership,” Mehdi Hasan Rony, vice-president of Chhatra League, told bdnews24.com

“I believe top leaders should be selected considering candidates’ experience as well as their family background, which will prevent intrusion,” he said commenting on his expectations on the 29th conference.