Staff Correspondent

The countdown for announcing a new central committee of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has begun, with BNP’s high command nearing the final stages of selecting the new leadership. According to policy-making levels and multiple responsible sources within the organization, a new central committee could be announced at any moment if everything goes according to plan.

Sources indicate that the high command is placing the utmost importance on organizational skills, active participation in anti-establishment movements, political acceptance, and the cultivation of future leadership. Clean images are being heavily prioritized. While several contenders' names are circulating for the "Super Five" posts—including president and general secretary—changes to the final roster remain possible up until the last moment. Intense discussions regarding the potential leadership are ongoing both within and outside the organization, as the BNP plans to leverage the new committee to energize Chhatra Dal for upcoming political programs and national election preparations.

The tenure of the current Chhatra Dal committee, led by Rakibul Islam Rakib and Nasir Uddin Nasir, expired on March 1. Aspiring leaders are currently busy communicating and lobbying with BNP central leaders. Dozens of names have surfaced for the top two positions, with contenders showcasing their positions through campus show-downs and active participation in party programs.

Among the frontrunners with a clean image is Abu Afsan Mohammad Yahya, currently serving as senior vice-president of the central committee. An economics major, Afsan previously served as the central committee's organizing secretary and maintains an unblemished record free of corruption or misconduct allegations. He consistently keeps a distance from controversial activities and has played a significant role in leading Chhatra Dal unit leaders and activists through prolonged struggles and movements.

Yahya sustained severe injuries during an attack by the Chattra League on the Dhaka University campus on May 24, 2022, requiring 17 stitches to his head and suffering a torn leg ligament. In 2023, while participating in BNP-backed sit-in programs at entry points of Dhaka, he was arrested from Gabtoli and imprisoned for an extended period. During the post-October 28 hartal and blockade programs called by the BNP, he served as the primary coordinator for Chhatra Dal in Dhaka North and West, successfully executing blockade programs under his leadership.

During the July mass uprising, Yahya tirelessly worked to ensure the success of protests in Shahbagh, Bangla Motor, Science Lab, Dhanmondi, and Mohammadpur alongside activists. Following August 5, he implemented positive student-politics programs interacting with general students across educational institutions in the Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Chattogram divisions, earning widespread praise from students.

Aman Ullah Aman, the current central organizing secretary and a music department student, previously served as joint secretary of the central parliament. He was imprisoned for two months following his arrest during the post-October 28 movements. Post-August 5, Aman was tasked with restoring discipline and engaging general students in positive political programs across educational institutions in the Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions. However, Aman has repeatedly been embroiled in various controversies, including issues involving women.

Mominul Islam Zisan, currently the number one joint secretary and a political science major, previously served as senior joint secretary of Dhaka University Chhatra Dal. A familiar face to Chhatra Dal activists through various movements, he faced multiple lawsuits, police attacks, and imprisonments during the Awami League regime. Arrested by DB police in 2023, he spent a long time in prison and played an important role in the July-August mass uprising. This student leader has not been linked to any controversies thus far.

Saleh Md. Adnan, rising from grassroots leadership, serves as the current joint secretary, having held the same position in the previous committee. Active in Barishal-region politics initially, Adnan began his Dhaka political journey with DU Chhatra Dal in 2010. While at Barishal Government College, he actively participated in anti-illegal government movements during 1/11. In 2016, he became joint convener of the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall branch of Chhatra Dal, subsequently facing severe torture for his political affiliation, which required treatment at Dhaka Medical College and led to his expulsion from the hall by Chattra League.

ABM Ejazul Kabir Ruyel, serving as vice-president, previously acted twice as the acting president of the Dhaka University branch. Facing eight cases and three arrests during the anti-fascist movement, Ruyel is widely recognized as an active, dedicated, and persecuted student leader.

Several potential candidates from outside Dhaka University are also under discussion: Dr. Touhidur Rahman Awal, current vice-president; Kazi Ziauddin Baset; Shahriar Haque Chowdhury Shimul, joint secretary; and M. Rajibul Islam Talukder Bindu, general secretary of Private University Chhatra Dal.

Dr. Touhidur Rahman Awal has previously served as joint secretary, number one assistant organizing secretary, and assistant health secretary. Facing three cases and one arrest during the fascist regime, Awal is currently pursuing FCPS studies while affiliated with Suhrawardy Medical College.

Kazi Zia Uddin Baset faces nine cases due to his active student politics and suffered severe torture during police remand, alongside serving sentences in two cases with several ongoing trials. In 2015, during a blockade, police allegedly threw him from an unfinished building, leaving him hospitalized for ten months.

Besides , vice-presidents Md. Monzurul Alam Riyadh, Khorshed Alam Sohel, and joint secretaries Ibrahim Khalil, Mostafizur Rahman, and Faruk Hossain are also under consideration by the high command.