Reza Mahmud :
After DUCSU shock, the BNP is preparing to take fresh strategies to overcome all of its weaknesses before the national election, party insiders said.
Senior BNP leaders said, though the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) polls outcome is a setback for the party, the general election is not similar in nature. So, the party men are not worried over it.
Meanwhile, the leaders said the party has been left stunned by the crushing defeat of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) panel in the DUCSU election.
The party leaders and activists were not prepared for such a humiliating loss. While some allege election rigging, many admit their own failures, citing poor strategy, lack of coordination, and no organizational base in the university.
On Tuesday’s election, the Jamaat-e-Islami-backed Islami Chhatra Shibir panel won the top three posts and nine secretarial positions, while independents secured the remaining three. Not a single JCD candidate won, and the margins were wide.
With national elections looming, BNP has taken this unprecedented defeat very seriously. Although quiet in public, its high command is searching for reasons behind the loss. Party insiders say JCD was unprepared, faced an unfavorable environment, and had been weakened by mob
attacks since August 5. Even BNP-aligned teachers had advised against contesting, but the party still entered the race-raising questions about who pushed them into it.
When contacted, BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council Member Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal told The New Nation, “As the largest political party of the country, the BNP is always ready to face any situation. The party is well prepared for national election.”
The Senior BNP leader said, the party men in all stages are used to overcome any type of shock and adopt fresh strategy for the upcoming challenges.
Other senior leaders of the BNP also shared the similar views, saying DUCSU and other university body polls will not reflect in the general election as it is totally different in nature.
Besides, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, President of Nagorik Oikkya told journalists that DUCSU polls might not influence on the upcoming Parliament election as these are different.
Meanwhile, JCD activists acknowledge that Shibir worked with a long-term plan, winning support from general and female students through organized responsibilities and activities.
As a key stakeholder in the July-August movement, Shibir consolidated its position, while JCD had no plan, no coordination, and failed to engage teachers or media.
Overconfidence also played a role. BNP and JCD leaders assumed Dhaka University students would never support an Islamist organization, but that miscalculation backfired.
Lack of Planning and Coordination:Other student groups began preparing well in advance, but JCD only hurriedly formed a panel after the schedule was announced. They failed to unify different groups, mobilize activists, or treat the election as a top priority. Instead, they relied on individual candidate reputations. Relations with teachers, female students, and the media were weak.
Internal coordination was also poor. Former leaders and activists worked separately rather than for the panel as a whole. Even the BNP-leaning “White Group” teachers were ignored-left out of events and not consulted in forming the panel. Consequently, they did not back JCD strongly.
Weak Hall Committees: Just before the polls, controversial hall committees triggered dissatisfaction within the organization. These committees lacked strength and credibility, leaving JCD unable to counter Shibir’s hall-based strategy.
BNP insiders say the defeat is a warning ahead of the national election. Without qualitative changes the party risks further losses. Student organizations must be reorganized on merit and integrity, and old syndicates dismantled. Otherwise, repeating past methods will only bring more defeats.
