Anaet Shawon
With a full-fledged new central committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL)  about to be announced any day, former BCL leaders, especially those who have been without a post for years, are vying hard, 'buttering' big brothers (syndicate members) to get few berths.
They are looking frantically for BCL king makers to talk and confirm their blessings. But problem is, many aspirants say, the big brothers have gone into recluse, trying to make decisions in cool head away from the bustle of swarming students and activists.
The big brothers (commonly former BCL leaders and elders having close link with important sources in the AL) are now passing busy time ahead of the formation of the new BCL committee, sources say. They are so busy that they prefer to delink with post seekers and gone hiding (temporarily) to discuss and make decisions in cool head.
The AL's students unit with sweeping powers is also keen to use unauthorised influence to retain or gain leadership access. It is the party's 'strong arm' in all political actions, be it to face off political rivals, enforce decisions of the party President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her ministers, on the sidelines. BCL is also known for internal feuds and infightings.
The central committee of BCL will be announced any day, though, over six months have passed, BCL insiders said. They said BCL will carefully pick the candidates and allocate them posts they deserve and controversial activists will not be rewarded.
They said tension rose among the BCL post seekers as its top bosses' cell phones get frequently switched off. "When the phones of two top bosses are switched off we know they are at meeting somewhere in the city but at a preferred recluse, doing important business," one BCL post aspirant told the Daily Observer.
The new BCL Central Committee, which was said to be in the offing for quite some time, is yet to be announced, causing ripples of frustration in the BCL rank and file.
All the post seekers visit former leaders (allegedly members of syndicate or influential lobbyists) trying to confirm a post that will pave the way for them to do BCL politics.
In this regard 12,000 curriculum vitae (CV) collected for central BCL committee and about 1,000 CV received for Dhaka University committee from October 4 to next fifteen days.
The leaders have also confirmed that cross-checking of post seekers' data have been done, such as verifying their studentship from the respective educational institutions, even birth date was checked from the education board, their past contribution to the party as well as their family background.
When asked about why family background was checked, leaders said, it was alleged that many anti-liberation and Shibir linked persons often sneak into the BCL committee for further benefit. To avoid criticism and party ethics, BCL is verifying family background of each post seeker.
BCL insiders alleged that the committee was delayed as former leaders could not set their followers at the expected posts. They also alleged that BCL bosses verifying bio-data of post seekers to know which district he belongs, which lobby he or she maintained etc. The BCL top leaders are taking safe side for their own interest.
Insiders, requesting anonymity, said no one in the BCL wants to 'anger' the syndicates. "The big brothers must be satisfied."
The BCL existing central committee was announced through a council on July 25 and 26 last year with Saifur Rahman Shohag as President and SM Jakir Hossain as General Secretary.
While Abid Al Hasan was made the President and Motahar Hossain Prince made the General Secretary of Dhaka University on June 18 last year.
BCL Secretary SM Jakir Hossain assured, "Full-fledged committee is almost ready, it will be announced any day. Dedicated and tested BCL activists will be rewarded through these posts."
Dhaka University President Abid Al Hasan said disputed and controversial BCL activists will not be included in the committees but they can try to get a post at their own will.