New JCD leadership soon 

The process of forming a new central committee of Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) is now in its final stage. The new committee may be announced at any time after approval from the top leadership of BNP, according to relevant sources.

The two-year term of the current central committee ended on March 1. Despite the expiry of its term, the committee has continued organizational activities for about five and a half months.

The delay in announcing the new committee has created strong interest among Chhatra Dal leaders and activists. Many are now waiting to see who will get the top positions.

Farewell meeting of the ‘Super Five’
Recently, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met the current top five leaders of Chhatra Dal at the political office of the BNP chairman in Gulshan, Dhaka.

Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib, General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, Senior Vice President Abu Afsan Mohammad Yahia, Senior Joint General Secretary Shyamal Malum and Organizing Secretary Aman Ullah Aman attended the meeting.

A source said the current leaders were consulted about the formation of the new leadership. It is also learnt that names of potential leaders were collected through a secret ballot.

After the meeting, Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib made an emotional post on social media. He indicated that a “golden chapter” of student politics had come to an end and expressed gratitude to the BNP top leadership, fellow activists from different educational institutions and ordinary students.

He highlighted the activities of the Rakib-Nasir committee during its tenure. He said the committee played a role in the streets during the anti-discrimination student movement and the July mass uprising. Later, it dealt with various situations on campuses and ran the organization without becoming involved in unwanted controversies.

Rakib also apologized for any unintentional mistakes and sought blessings from everyone as he began a new chapter in his life.

Leaders in discussion for top two posts 
Several leaders from the central Chhatra Dal and the Dhaka University unit are being discussed for the posts of president and general secretary of the new committee.

For the post of president, the names being discussed include central committee Vice President ABM Ijazul Kabir (Ruel), Manjurul Alam (Riyad), Organizing Secretary Aman Ullah Aman, Joint General Secretary Mominul Islam (Zisan), Ibrahim Khalil, Raju Ahmed, Khorshed Alam (Sohel), Ariful Islam (Arif), HM Abu Zafar, Faruk Ahmed and Sharif Prodhan Shuvo.

For general secretary, some of the names in discussion are Dhaka University Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas, General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon, Vice President Anisur Rahman Khandaker (Anik), Senior Joint General Secretary Nasir Uddin (Shaon), Abidul Islam Khan, Central Joint General Secretary Tariqul Islam (Tarik) and Literature and Publications Secretary Minhaj Ahmed (Prince).

Relevant sources said several issues are being given importance in selecting the new leadership.

These include the candidates’ roles in political movements and struggles, organizational skills, educational background, acceptance among students and previous activities.

The leadership is particularly looking at who played what role in political movements during the Awami League government, who remained active in the organization despite cases, arrests and various pressures, and who contributed during the July-August movement.

Academic results, family and political identity, organizational behaviour and any controversies or complaints against potential leaders are also being reviewed.

According to people concerned, students of Dhaka University may be given preference for the top two positions of the central committee.

Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin told the Daily Observer that leaders who have long been at the forefront of the democratic movement and have contributed to the organization will be given importance in the new committee.

He said the leadership selection would also consider who has worked for ordinary students in the past and who has the ability to play an effective role in the future.

New committee may have five members
Party sources said that after reviewing all aspects, a new five-member leadership, including the president and general secretary, may be announced in the first phase.

However, changes in the list may continue until the last moment.

People concerned said the political and organizational backgrounds of potential leaders are being carefully vetted. They said the focus is not on giving priority to any particular “syndicate”.

An initiative has been taken to form a new committee to make Chhatra Dal more active and dynamic as part of BNP’s upcoming political programmes.

Political analysts say the selection of Chhatra Dal’s new leadership is important in the current political situation.

BNP needs leaders who are not only capable of taking part in street movements but can also play an effective role in intellectual, constructive and student-friendly politics in the changed political situation.

The new leaders are also expected to be acceptable to students.

As a result, Chhatra Dal leaders and activists are eagerly waiting to know who will receive the responsibility of the “Super Five”, including the president and general secretary.

The entire organization is now waiting for the final decision of the BNP top leadership.