DNC Jubo Dal body soon

Discussions in political circles are intensifying over the formation of a new committee of Dhaka Metropolitan North Jubo Dal. Speculation is rife among the organisation’s leaders and activists over who will take up key positions, including president and general secretary. 

Grassroots activists have called for leaders who were active in past movements and struggles, made sacrifices for the party, and maintained a clean image to be given priority in selecting the new leadership.

Recently, clashes and arson took place among hawkers,  police and city corporation employees in the Mirpur-10 area of the capital over an eviction drive targeting roadside vendors. Following allegations of involvement by local police and city corporation employees in the Mirpur-10 area of the capital over an eviction drive targeting roadside vendors. Following allegations of involvement by local BNP leaders, an investigation was conducted on the instructions of BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. When the investigation identified several individuals accused of sheltering and encouraging those involved in the disorder, organisational action was taken against them.

In addition, allegations involving some BNP leaders and activists in vandalism at the Radda Health Centre in Mirpur, as well as jhut (garment waste) trading, land grabbing and extortion in Pallabi, Mirpur and Darussalam, tarnished the party’s image. Against this backdrop, the then committee of Dhaka Metropolitan North Jubo Dal was dissolved.

Discussions about the new leadership began immediately after the dissolution of the committee. As part of plans to reorganise the party’s affiliated and associate organisations following the formation of the BNP government, the reorganisation of Dhaka Metropolitan North Jubo Dal has also gained importance. Party leaders and activists expect that those who were active in street movements, suffered repression and demonstrated organisational competence will be given priority in the new committee.

Speaking to several leaders and activists of Dhaka Metropolitan North Jubo Dal, it was learnt that six leaders are being discussed for the presidency or other top positions in the new committee. They are Mizanur Rahman Raj, former president of Metropolitan North Chhatra Dal and former joint convener of North Jubo Dal; Sazzadul Miraj, the outgoing member secretary; Abul Hasan Titu, former joint convener; Jasim Sikder Rana, former convener of Dhaka Metropolitan North Chhatra Dal; Monirul Islam Swapan, former joint convener of North Jubo Dal; and Taslim Ahsan Masum.

Meanwhile, Aminul Islam and Shimul Ahmed, former joint conveners of North Jubo Dal; Bashirul Islam Rana, a leader who returned after being forcibly disappeared, former vice-president of Metropolitan North Chhatra Dal and current joint secretary of the central Chhatra Dal committee; Kamal Ahmed Dulu, convener of Rampura Thana Jubo Dal; and Mehedi Hasan Ruel, former president of Dhaka Metropolitan North Chhatra Dal, are being discussed for the post of general secretary.

However, no official announcement has yet been made regarding who will ultimately secure positions in the new committee. 

Mizanur Rahman Raj, an aspirant for the post of president, told The Daily Observer, “I have always been active on the streets during the anti-fascist movement. My family and I have faced a great deal of repression while participating in the movement. I have been arrested many times, yet I never left the streets. Surely, the party will recognise my sacrifices.”

Bashirul Islam Rana, an aspirant for the post of general secretary, told The Daily Observer, “I have full confidence in our organisational guardian, Tarique Rahman.”

Jubo Dal Central President Monayem Munna told The Daily Observer, “We are considering not only Dhaka Metropolitan committees but also all district and metropolitan committees across the country. The political realities have changed. We have specific plans to reorganise committees whose terms have expired, and work is underway accordingly.”

On the matter, BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told The Daily Observer, “Change is a natural and ongoing process in the interest of increasing organisational dynamism. The BNP is now running the government, so its responsibilities and accountability to the people have increased significantly. Committees whose terms have expired will be reorganised in phases, and leaders who have made sacrifices and proven themselves on the streets will be given places in those committees.”