Candidates with clean public images, selfless leaders and organisers tested on the streets are expected to receive priority in the next central committee of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the ruling BNP, in line with the expectations of BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Speculation is intensifying that the current committee will soon be dissolved and a new central body will be announced.
The records of more than a dozen contenders for the “Super Five” positions are being examined, with several intelligence agencies already submitting reports to the BNP high command, sources said.
The vetting is examining whether any contender has links to Islami Chhatra Shibir or has been involved in extortion or other controversial activities.
Leaders with histories of street activism, facing lawsuits, imprisonment, and their organisational skill are receiving greater importance.
Sources said the future committee of Chhatra Dal, known as the BNP’s vanguard, could also give private university students important “Super Five” positions alongside public university representatives.
The BNP is considering the role of private university students in the 2024 student-public uprising, the gradual expansion of private universities and Chhatra Dal’s failure in student union elections held at public universities after the Awami League government fell in the mass uprising.
The 2009-10 honours academic year and subsequent sessions are also receiving special consideration to bring comparatively active students into leadership.
If that preference remains, several heavyweight aspirants could lose out to lesser-known contenders.
The two-year term of the committee led by President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir ended on 1 March, prompting discussions within the BNP, Chhatra Dal and on social media over the next leadership.
Nasir told TIMES of Bangladesh, “The issue of forming a new committee depends on Chhatra Dal’s guardian BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. It is completely in his hands.”
Although seeking posts, aspirants say they will accept the decision of Tarique Rahman.
Those being discussed for the “Super Two or Super Five” include Senior Vice-President Abu Afsan Mohammad Yahya; vice-presidents Izzajul Kabir Ruel, Manjurul Alam Riyad, Kazi Ziauddin Baset, Khorshed Alam Sohel, Touhidur Rahman Awal and Ibrahim Khalil; Organising Secretary Aman Ullah Aman; Senior Joint General Secretary Mominul Islam Jisan; Joint General Secretary Raju Ahmed; Gazi Md Saddam Hossain; Saleh Md Adnan; Mostafizur Rahman; Literature and Publication Secretary Minhaj Ahmed Prince; Publicity Secretary Sharif Pradhan Shuvo; Dhaka University Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas; and Private University Chhatra Dal General Secretary M Rajibul Islam Talukder Bindu.
Yahya, formerly the central organising secretary, has long worked with different Chhatra Dal units. He was seriously injured in a Chhatra League attack at Dhaka University on 24 May 2022 and was arrested at Gabtoli during a BNP-announced sit-in in 2023, remaining imprisoned for a long time.
After 28 October, he served as Chhatra Dal’s main coordinator for Dhaka Metropolitan North and West during the BNP’s strike and blockade programmes, which were implemented there under his leadership.
He told TIMES of Bangladesh, “Committee formation is a continuous process. The current committee has led the front line in removing fascism that is pressing like a rock in Bangladesh and building a democratic Bangladesh. The decision of our organisational guardian and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman regarding the new committee is final. No matter when the new committee is formed, Chhatra Dal will continue its organisational activities as the spokesperson of the general students with more student-friendly programmes.”
Izzajul Kabir Ruel, central vice-president, previously served as senior vice-president of Dhaka University Chhatra Dal. He acted as president of the university unit during the post-28 October movement and played a role in the July-August student-public uprising.
“Super Two or Super Five will completely depend on the decision of the high command. The decision of the organizational guardian is final,” he said.
Organising Secretary Aman played a special role in the movement to overthrow the dictatorship despite being arrested, imprisoned and tortured during remand. Leaders and activists regard him as a sacrificed leader, while senior BNP figures have repeatedly spoken about his sacrifice. However, controversial activities alleged in his name have also surfaced.
Riyad spent a long period imprisoned in a political case. Sohel was imprisoned in seven cases and tortured on remand. Awal joined street programmes while providing medical care to injured leaders and activists.
Mominul Islam Zisan, identified later in the source as joint general secretary 1, faced multiple cases, attacks and imprisonment under the Awami League government. Ibrahim Khalil rose from the grassroots and was attacked several times during the movement. Shuvo was injured in a Chhatra League attack, imprisoned for six months and active from the beginning of the mass uprising.
Baset is accused in nine cases. Injured in police firing, he received hospital treatment for 10 months before being arrested on allegations involving disappearance and a weapons case.
Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas played an important role in implementing central programmes at Dhaka University. Mostafizur Rahman, Saleh Md Adnan and Minhaj Ahmed Prince are also being discussed because of their active street leadership.
Awal told Times, “All the leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal are confident in Tarique Rahman’s decision. We are steadfast in his decision.”
Sources again said priority for the 2009-10 honours session and subsequent academic years could leave heavyweight leaders behind and bring comparatively lesser-known contenders forward.
