45 unit committees: Chhatra Dal faces flak from its grassroots

Chhatra
Dal, the student wing of the ruling BNP, is facing growing resentment from its
grassroots after announcing committees for 45 units, with “deprived” leaders
and activists staging protests in at least five districts and accusing the
central leadership of ignoring long-serving organisers.
The
backlash has created a fresh organisational challenge for the Bangladesh
Nationalist Party’s affiliated organisations as it tries to expand and
strengthen its field-level activities, insiders said.
On
Saturday night, 45 committees -- for university, medical college, district and
metropolitan units -- were announced, including 22 new partial committees and
23 full committees.
Following
the announcement, grassroots leaders and activists staged protests, demanding
the reconstitution of the committees.
The
protests have already spread to Rangamati, Noakhali, Kishoreganj, Dinajpur and
the capital’s Nayapaltan area, where demonstrators alleged that active,
long-serving organisers were ignored while inactive, married, elderly and
non-student individuals were included.
Chhatra
Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir said, “When we give posts to two
persons and give other posts to the rest, many people often feel disappointed
and resentful. For now, we are taking these things as quite normal.
“We
believe they will accept the organisation’s decision. If they remain patient
and follow the organisation’s rules, a situation and environment will be
created for them to become leaders in the future.”
He said
the committees were formed after considering all factors and that the
allegations against them were baseless.
Chhatra
Dal insiders said the grassroots discontent has become a major test for the
central leadership at a time when the organisation is trying to revive
educational institutions and district units after years of weak organisational
presence.
In
Rangamati, a clash occurred yesterday over a programme organised by the newly
formed partial committee of the district unit, as protesting leaders and newly
appointed leaders faced off, leaving at least one person injured. As tension
escalated, the local administration imposed Section 144 in the area to prevent
further violence.
Army and
police personnel were also deployed in parts of the town after two days of
protests and counter-protests raised fears of further clashes, sources said.
A similar
protest erupted in Noakhali, Nasir’s home district, where protesting leaders
declared him “unwanted” following the announcement of the district committee.
After a
37-member district committee was announced, several hundred leaders and
activists burned tyres and blocked roads in Maijdee Town. Several crude bomb
explosions were reported during the protest, sparking panic in the area.
During the
hours-long protest, commuters and students faced considerable distress.
The
protesters alleged that the committee was formed without properly assessing the
role of leaders who had remained active during difficult political periods.
They also claimed that some leaders with weak organisational records were given
posts due to lobbying and personal connections.
A faction
of leaders in Kishoreganj also brought out a procession, alleging that
supporters of the district party leader and a state minister were prioritised
when the district committee was formed.
Protests
were also seen in Cox’s Bazar, Dinajpur and in front of the BNP central office in
Nayapaltan, where protesting leaders gathered to demand that the central
leadership review the committees before discontent spreads further among
grassroots activists.
Meanwhile,
at least five district-level Chhatra Dal leaders announced their resignations
on their Facebook profiles, citing dissatisfaction over the committee formation
process.
Several of
them said they could not accept committees where those who “were absent from
the field” had been rewarded while long-serving activists were ignored.
Central
Chhatra Dal leaders, however, said the protests were unacceptable and went
against BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s instruction to maintain discipline.
A central
leader, preferring anonymity, said some of those protesting had failed to
secure expected posts and were now trying to pressure the organisation.
“The party
high command has repeatedly asked all leaders and activists to maintain
discipline. Those taking to the streets against organisational decisions are
defying that directive,” he said, adding that the central leadership would look
into specific complaints, but indiscipline, road blockades and violence would
not be tolerated.
(Our
correspondents from Noakhali, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, and Kishoreganj
contributed to the news.)
















