Ducsu polls: 5 from Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad to vie for AGS post, raising eyebrows

In the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) election, five candidates from the Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad (BGCS) are set to contest for the position of assistant general secretary (AGS), sparking widespread discussion and debate among students.

Md Hasibul Islam, chief organiser of the BGCS Dhaka University unit, was initially nominated for the post of secretary for Liberation War and Democratic Movements under the BGCS-backed "Anti-Discrimination Students' Parliament" panel. However, a review of the preliminary candidate list revealed that Hasibul has also filed nomination papers for the AGS post.

Talking to The Business Standard today, Hasibul confirmed that he will, in fact, contest for the AGS position.

Meanwhile, BGCS has also nominated its central spokesperson, Ashrefa Khatun, as an AGS candidate from the same panel. In addition to Ashrefa and Hasibul, three other BGCS leaders have joined the AGS race. They are— the platform's Central Chief Organiser Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury, Central Joint Secretary Sanjana Afifa, and DU Unit Joint Secretary Md Ashiqur Rahman Jim.

The presence of five candidates from the same organisation vying for a single position has raised questions about internal discipline and strategic coherence within BGCS.

When asked about the apparent lack of coordination, Ashrefa Khatun told TBS, "Following the mass uprising, many have developed a sense of leadership, which is why there's strong interest in participating in the Ducsu elections. We are encouraging our leaders and activists to practice democracy."

Responding to whether the organisation would take any disciplinary measures over the issue, she added, "So far, we haven't discussed taking any action against anyone."

BGCS Member Secretary and general secretary candidate Abu Bakher Majumdar commented on Hasibul's dual nominations, saying, "Hasib has filed nominations for two posts — that's part of our strategy."

Ducsu elections 2025 is scheduled to take place on 9 September.