DHAKA, Feb 14, 2019 (BSS) – Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) wants to include Teacher-Students’ Center (TSC) based 22 students’ organisations in their alliance under the banner of “Chhatra Sangram Parishad” for the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) poll, scheduled for March 11, 2019.
The Parishad is currently headed by pro-Awami League Chattra League and includes eight other student organisations that includes from pro-JSD Chatra League and pro-Workers’ Party Chattra Moitri.
On the other hand, BNP’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) is preparing to compete the DUCSU poll on its own.
Pro-Awami League students’ body BCL announced their decision at a press conference organised by “Dhaka University (DU) Sammilita Shikkharthi Sangsad”, an alliance of 22 TSC based socio-cultural organisations held at the historic Madhur canteen on the campus today.
While addressing the function, BCL President Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury Shovon said that as one of the aims of DUCSU is to flourish the intellectual and cultural development of students through extra-curricular activities and the TSC based socio-cultural organisations are working with this aim from their inception, BCL wants to give them priority. “We want to make a panel ‘Chhatra Sangram Parishad’ for contesting the upcoming DUCSU election
comprising the 22 TSC based organisations, who uphold the spirit of the Liberation War and have creativity and intend to work for the country,” Shovon told newsmen.
Shovon also stated that their alliance will finalise their panels for the 25 posts of DUCSU and 13 posts of every hall union, in time. The nomination papers will be distributed from February 19 to 25 from the hall offices, while the last day for submitting nomination papers is February 26 and the deadline for withdrawing nomination papers is March 2 as per the poll
schedule.
BCL DU central general secretary (GS) Golam Rabbani, BCL DU unit GS Saddam Hussain also spoke on the occassion.
While reading out a written statement, a spokesperson of the TSC based platform SM Rakib Siraji, said they want the polling booths to remain in the residential halls, as per the university authority’s decision which has created mixed reaction among the students’ bodies.
“We have no objection setting up of the polling booths at the dormitories. All of TSC based organisations are committed about the question of the Great Liberation War. We urge all the students’ bodies to participate in the election,” said Siraji, also the president of DU Debating Club.
Founder president of DU Research Society Saifullah Sadeq, DU Drama Troops’ President Sanwarul Haque Sony, DU Science Society President Prottasa Shaha, Film society president Kaiyum Joy spoke at the function on behalf of their platform.
For the second consecutive day, JCD leaders and activists gathered at the Madhur canteen after a lapse of nine years. The gathering of BCL, JCD and left students’ bodies created a spirit of peaceful co-existence and cordiality ahead of the DUCSU election.
JCD central President Razib Ahsan, GS Akramul Hasan, DU unit president Al Mehedi Talukder and General Secretary Abul Bashar Siddique, among others, sat together at the canteen for more than two hours.
Talking to the media, JCD president Razib Ahsan welcomed DU authority’s assurance of creating a congenial political atmosphere for them and also demanded rescheduling of DUCSU polls for at least three months to materialise the committments. “JCD wants to conduct political activities positively. We do not want to create any untoward situation. We hope that the university administration will be able to make a free and fair election,” said Rajib.
Regarding their panel, Akramul Hasan said, “We have decided to participate in the election on our own. But the door is open and if anyone wants to join us, they are free to do so.”
Apart from this, Progressive Students’ alliance brought out procession from Madhur canteen and took position in front of Vice Chancellor (VC)’s office for about two hours, demanding setting up of polling booths outside the halls.
“We demand setting up the polling booths in the academic buildings so that students can cast their votes without fear,” said Chhatra Union GS Liton Nandi.