BNP Vice Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu has dismissed claims that the student wing of BNP, Chhatra Dal, suffered a significant defeat in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections.
Instead, he said, the party secured substantial support from students in the recent polls.
Speaking at the Court Reporters Unity (CRU) office in Dhaka on Monday after attending a court hearing, Bulu said, “Chhatra Dal did not experience a collapse in the DUCSU and JUCSU elections. Our panel received 5,800 votes, reflecting strong student backing.”
He stated that the rival student group did not contest the elections under their own name but rather as part of a united front. “Many of these individuals have been active for the past 10 to 15 years under the banner of Chhatra League. They have enjoyed the benefits and privileges provided by Sheikh Hasina’s government. Now, many of those claiming to lead the student movement were previously holding positions within the Chhatra League,” he said.
He criticised the practice of joining one party while secretly working for another, questioning the political ethics behind such actions. “How can this be considered political morality?” he remarked.
When asked about the party’s claim that the rival student group faced repression and went underground after 2015, he responded by questioning the ages of those currently elected in DUCSU. “The elected students are around 24 to 25 years old now. That means in 2015, about ten years ago, they would have been just 12 to 14 years old. How could they have participated in the movement at such a young age?” he asked.
Highlighting the recent DUCSU elections, he said, “Chhatra Dal did not suffer a defeat. Despite not being able to hold any positions or even attend classes without fear, we still managed to secure the support of 5,800 students in the past 10 months on campus. This is a significant achievement.”
Reflecting on his solitary imprisonment, Bulu recalled being suddenly transferred to Kashimpur High Security Prison, where he was kept isolated in a single room for an extended period.
Meanwhile, on Monday, a Dhaka court discharged BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas, Vice Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu, and 29 other BNP leaders and activists in a sabotage case filed with Ramna Police Station. The order was issued by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Wahiduzzaman.
