Desk Report,
What is the reason for Chhatra Dal’s failure in the DUCSU elections?
From the beginning, the nationalist Chhatra Dal was in a state of doubt and uncertainty about whether to participate in the DUCSU elections. While rival organizations were carrying out various activities on campus, Chhatra Dal could not yet announce its panel. Even the workers and supporters of the organization had no clear idea about who would be the candidate for the VP post. Chhatra Dal announced the panel just 20 days before the election.
What is the reason for Chhatra Dal’s failure in the DUCSU elections?
Due to insufficient preparation, lack of proper planning, and lack of proper coordination within Chhatra Dal in determining what the campaign strategy would be. Chhatra Dal could not present any of its leaders to the students in the same way that Chhatra Shibir has ‘focused’ (brought forward) its two leaders Abu Sadiq Kayem and SM Farhad on campus in various ways in the past year after the July mass uprising. On the contrary, no one knew for sure who Chhatra Dal would elect for the VP post even after the election schedule was announced. Two top leaders of the Chhatra Dal central committee have admitted that there was no proper preparation and long-term plan for the DUCSU and Hall Sangsad elections. They told Prothom Alo that from the beginning, there was no effective discussion within the organization about the DUCSU elections, nor was there any such plan. The issue could not be given the importance it needed, for various reasons. Therefore, it was very late to decide on a candidate and determine the strategy.
However, the two leaders also said that during the 15 and a half years of Awami League (now banned) rule, Chhatra Dal was not allowed to conduct any activities openly on the Dhaka University campus. Chhatra Dal leaders and activists were repeatedly attacked. On the other hand, many leaders and activists of another organization were able to stay on the campus by hiding their identities. They also conducted organizational activities secretly.
In addition to the delay in deciding on a candidate, Chhatra Dal could not show any surprises in terms of campaigning. The way Chhatra Dal campaigned on social media failed to attract students. On the other hand, Chhatra Dal’s organizational base in the halls is not strong. On the other hand, many candidates on the Chhatra Dal panel at DUCSU were not well-known to students. Prothom Alo spoke to 10 former and current leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal at various levels over the past two days about the debacle in the DUCSU elections. Their assessment is that due to their long absence from campus, trust in Chhatra Dal was not built, and even when they did come, they did not receive the same response in their campaigns. In the past year, new workers were not created on campus, and there was also a leadership crisis. As a result, Chhatra Dal’s relationship with the new generation of students did not develop in the same way.
A former leader of the organization’s Dhaka University branch told Prothom Alo on condition of anonymity that even after Chhatra League (now banned) was not in the field, Chhatra Dal could not create the image of an active and responsible student organization. At that time, Chhatra Dal’s presence on campus was limited, its programs were weak, and its organizational structure was still disorganized. On the other hand, Shibir has quickly established contact with the students. Shibir has been active in the field by setting plans and goals. They have also seen results in the DUCSU elections.
