Organisational weaknesses and lack of a transparent political vision have cost the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-backed Chhatra Dal this year’s Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) election.
Political analysts say overconfidence within the student wing also played a key role in their embarrassing defeat.
While the Chhatra Dal swept all positions in the 1990 election, the 2025 results marked a sharp reversal for the party. Former Ducsu leaders believe this outcome could influence the other elections, but BNP leaders remain confident that it will not.
A look back at 1990
In 1990, under the autocratic rule of Hussain Muhammad Ershad, the Chhatra Dal panel won a landslide victory in the Ducsu polls, securing 151 out of a total of 188 central and hall seats.
At the time, the party campaigned alongside the BNP to oust the Ershad regime, promising major reforms in student politics and academic life.
The then vice-president (VP) elected was Chhatra Dal leader Amanullah Aman, with Khairul Kabir Khokon as general secretary (GS) and Nazim Uddin Alam as assistant general secretary (AGS). All three are now senior BNP leaders.
However, in the 38th Ducsu election, Chhatra Dal’s entire panel was defeated, while the Jamaat-backed Chhatra Shibir, contesting the election for the first time with a full panel, won 23 of 28 central posts.
What’s behind this crushing defeat?
Dr Dilara Chowdhury, a retired professor of government and politics at Jahangirnagar University, said, “Every student at Dhaka University is talented. But Chhatra Dal’s vision was not clear to them.
“Moreover, in the aftermath of the July uprising, the party has been crafting narratives against the student leaders who led the movement.”
She continued, “Chhatra Dal’s organisational weaknesses are apparent. After BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia fell ill, the party’s command structure deteriorated further, affecting its affiliate groups.
“Since the fall of the Awami regime, public perception of Chhatra Dal leaders being involved in extortion has also hurt the party.”
Back in 1990, Dr Chowdhury then pointed out, students responded positively to Chhatra Dal’s promise to hasten Ershad’s downfall. The party was not tainted by corruption or extortion at that time. The Ducsu results could have tangible ramifications on overall national politics, she observed.
Organisational weakness and overconfidence
Professor Dr Mahbub Ullah, a retired Dhaka University faculty member and political analyst, said Chhatra Dal lost in the Ducsu polls due to shortsightedness and organisational weaknesses. “If these issues are not addressed, the party’s future in Bangladesh’s political arena is uncertain.”
Echoing him, a former Ducsu general secretary and Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna said, “Beyond the matter of organisational health, party leaders need to be more patient and strategic.
“Overconfidence has set Chhatra Dal back. Chhatra Shibir managed to reach students more effectively.”
The outcome of the Ducsu polls could influence the upcoming national elections, Manna argued. With this election just around the corner, millions of young voters could sway the results, and their enthusiasm may play a decisive role,” she added.
According to some BNP leaders, Chhatra Dal’s organisational base is weaker than ever before. The party’s intellectual and rational activities have declined, and internal power struggles have spiralled, leaving it behind in student politics. Defeat in Ducsu has caused serious concerns within the BNP, they cautioned, preferring anonymity.
However, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed claimed the Ducsu result won’t affect national-level politics. “Many Ducsu leaders have moved on to national-level politics. Some have been elected to Parliament, while others still continue to strive to get into national politics. Ducsu outcomes do not directly determine parliamentary results.”
BNP high command got involved
On Tuesday night, the BNP Standing Committee held a meeting focused on Ducsu. Starting at 9pm and concluding at midnight, acting chairman Tarique Rahman directed leaders to refrain from making negative remarks about the winners and, instead, congratulate them, to protect the party’s image.
Nazim Uddin Alam, the then AGS of the victorious 1990 Ducsu panel, is now a BNP executive member and former lawmaker.
He pointed out, “It is not just about organisational weakness. After the July uprising, the party needs to be more visionary, and work for the students sincerely.” He argued that Chhatra Dal had strong candidates, but there were also allegations of vote-rigging.
“Nonetheless, we must accept the Ducsu election results.”
A bit of history
The previous Ducsu polls, held in 2019, saw most student organisations boycotting. Only the student wing of the Awami League, some leftist groups, and Chhatra Odhikar Parishad participated, resulting in Nurul Haque Nur being elected VP.
Other key positions were mostly won by Awami League-backed Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) candidates. Despite not having any political experience, Nur secured the top post because of his role in the 2018 anti-quota movement.
Dhaka University formed its first hall union in the 1922-23 academic year, with three students from each hall and two teacher representatives, one appointed by the vice-chancellor.
The first central students’ union was established in the 1924-25 academic year. Over the decades, Ducsu leaders have frequently moved on to play significant roles in national politics.
