Desk Report,
Reforms are underway in the Democratic Student Parliament, the name may also change
The Democratic Students’ Union, known as the student organization of the National Citizens Party (NCP), suffered a setback in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections. They could not win any of the 28 DUCSU posts. After such a defeat, the NCP has suggested some reforms to the Democratic Students’ Union, including changing its name.
Reforms are underway in the Democratic Student Parliament, the name may also change
In the DUCSU elections held last Tuesday, the Islamic Students’ Union-backed United Students’ Union won 23 of the 28 posts. Independent candidates won four of the other posts (again, Shibir supported two of them) and the left-wing Panel Resistance Council won one member post. The Democratic Students’ Union-backed Anti-Discrimination Students’ Union did not win any posts. Even their VP and GS candidates were ranked fifth in terms of votes.
After the DUCSU results, the party’s executive council met at the NCP central office in Bangla Motor in the capital on Friday night. Many of the leaders there expressed disappointment over the dismal defeat of the Democratic Students’ Union in DUCSU. Many people also pointed out various reasons behind such a defeat. In their speeches, the issue of internal conflicts and divisions in the Democratic Student Union came up more. In addition, many also mentioned the lack of experience of the candidates and the lack of proper strategy in campaigning. The Democratic Student Union was launched last February at the initiative of a section of former coordinators of the Platform Anti-Discrimination Student Movement that led the July Mass Uprising. Many students who had suspended activities from the Democratic Student Power (the former student organization of a section of former coordinators) and resigned from the Chhatra League during the uprising joined this organization. There is discussion on campus that the leaders and activists of the Chhatra Shibir also joined this organization.
The VP candidate of the Anti-Discrimination Student Union in the DUCSU elections was Abdul Kader, a former coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement who came to the fore during the July Mass Uprising by announcing 9-point demands. The GS candidate was another former coordinator of the front row, Abu Baker Majumder. There is a discussion on campus that the two did not join the NCP because they will be contesting the DUCSU elections. They have been involved in various activities on campus for the past one year focusing on this election. Many of the other candidates on their panel were also familiar faces on campus.
Abu Baker Majumder told Prothom Alo that they have ideological similarities with the NCP. But they do not have the opportunity to emerge as the NCP’s tail-end student organization. They will remain as an independent organization.
Regarding the failure in the DUCSU elections, Abu Baker Majumder said, “One of the reasons for our failure in the DUCSU elections is that some people came to our organization to implement other agendas. Overall, the organization needs to be restructured, this is our own understanding.”
Convention suggestion
According to NCP sources, both sides have denied for a long time that the Democratic Student Association is a student organization of the NCP. But after the DUCSU results, the NCP is thinking of coming out of this issue. The results of the Jahangirnagar University Students’ Union (JACSU) elections also play a role in this regard. The NCP has asked the Democratic Students’ Union to convene a convention soon and bring reforms to the organization after consulting everyone.
On Sunday afternoon, a top NCP leader, on condition of anonymity, told Prothom Alo that many people are saying that the name Democratic Students’ Union is not a good name for the organization. They have already been told that the name can be changed and necessary reforms can be made after discussing it at the convention. Other parts of the NCP or affiliated organizations have the word ‘Shakti’ at the end of their names (for example, the name of the party’s youth organization is National Youth Power). There has also been a discussion on whether this word can be at the end of the name of the student organization.
The top NCP leader said that they do not want to do any more experiments (experiments) with the party’s student organization. They will directly emerge as the party’s student organization, and will also form committees at the university hall level, which is what the NCP wants. However, the Democratic Student Union will decide on these issues.
When asked about this, NCP senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adeeb told Prothom Alo, “The Democratic Student Union takes its own decisions. Sometimes it also consults with us. After the results of the DUCSU and JACSU elections, there is talk about how to restructure or strengthen the student organization. The NCP has suggested that the organization be restructured by holding a review meeting with the core leadership and important representatives of the Democratic Student Union. If necessary, the name may also be changed.”
