Rucsu polls after 35 years stir campus tensions

The long-awaited Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (Rucsu) election has finally been scheduled, set to take place on September 15 -- the first in nearly 35 years. The announcement has stirred both excitement and tension across the campus, as various student organisations scramble to secure their positions.

The election, coming after more than three decades, has become a battleground for old rivals and emerging forces. While some groups are preparing to contest independently, others are forming coalitions to increase their chances. Yet internal conflicts, leadership crises, and unresolved demands have deepened uncertainty about whether the polls will proceed smoothly.

Student bodies, including Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Islami Chhatra Shibir, left-leaning alliances, and independent candidates, have already started their campaigns -- but deep divisions and allegations against the university administration threaten to derail the process.

Chhatra Dal: Leadership crisis but ready to compete

The BNP's student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, is struggling with a leadership crisis. Of its 11 top leaders, only four remain listed as voters. The studentship of president Sultan Ahmed Rahi and General Secretary Sardar Jahurul expired earlier, making them ineligible to contest.

The student body intends to field its own panel but has left the door open for alliances. Organising Secretary Mahmudul Hasan Mithu is seen as the likely vice-president candidate, with Nafiul Jibon, Jahin Biswas Esha, and Gazi Ferdous Hasan also in the race.

Chhatra Dal earlier announced it would join the Rucsu polls only if its demands -- shifting polling centres to academic buildings from residential halls, removing Jamaat-linked teachers from provost roles, and taking legal and administrative action against Awami League-leaning teachers -- are met.

RU Chhatra Dal President Sultan Ahmed Rahi said, "The university administration has failed to ensure the participation of all political organisations. The election should have been arranged through discussions, like in the case of Ducsu. This election has no meaning before the trial of the fascist teachers. The administration must very soon announce a new schedule after discussions with everyone."

The organisation has also threatened protests if its demands are ignored.

Shibir: contesting under a new banner

Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, has re-emerged on campus after the 2024 political shift, rebuilding hall committees and hosting events such as tournaments and Iftar gatherings.

Although its influence has grown with Jamaat-backed individuals in the university administration, Shibir will not contest the Rucsu elections under its own banner. Instead, it is preparing to run as part of an "Anti-Fascist Inclusive Panel", to attract students from diverse religious and community backgrounds.

President Mostakur Rahman Zahid is expected to vie for the VP post, while secretary Mujahid Faisal and Najmus Shakib may run for general secretary and assistant general secretary.

RU Chhatra Shibir General Secretary Mujahid Faisal said, "We had been kept away from general students for a long time. However, after August 5, we have been able to mix with them. The misconceptions that general students had about Shibir have been broken. That is why we are hopeful about winning the election."

Yet, the loss of studentship by several top leaders weakened their position. Leaders have been instructed to include general students in the panel, even if it means ceding top posts.

Left alliance: struggling for ground

Left-leaning organisations, though historically vocal on student and national issues, continue to struggle with "limited campus support", the leaders claimed.

This time, they are pushing for a broad coalition with cultural groups. Their demands include polling centres at academic buildings, a cyberbullying prevention cell, and cancellation of voting rights for accused attackers.

On August 14, they observed a hunger strike, but the administration did not respond. They have threatened to boycott the election if their demands remain unmet. Fuad Ratul of the Socialist Students' Front is tipped as their VP candidate, alongside contenders Nasim Sarkar, Tarek Ashraf, Kaisar Ahmed, Alif Shahriar, and Shamim Tripura.

Fuad Ratul, the convener of the Socialist Students' Front, said, "We had placed several demands regarding Rucsu before the administration, but none of them have been accepted. Therefore, we believe the administration lacks the necessary goodwill. Our position is clear: if our demands are not met, we will move towards a tougher movement."

Administration's stance

Rucsu treasurer Setaur Rahman said, "Student organisations are regularly presenting their demands. We are constantly reviewing them. We are also sitting with the student organisations for discussions. However, it is not possible for the administration to meet all the demands."

Election roadmap after 35 years

After nearly a decade of the establishment of Rajshahi University, Rucsu was founded in 1962, and since then, a total of 14 elections have been held. The last Rucsu election took place in 1989. Following almost 35 years of hiatus, renewed student movements after the July Uprising pushed the administration to revive the union.

On February 27, the university administration first published a roadmap for the election, but it was not implemented. Later, on July 28, the election schedule was announced and subsequently revised on August 13.

According to the latest schedule, nomination forms will be distributed from August 24 to 26 between 10:00am and 5:00pm, and submissions will be accepted on August 27 and 28 from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The scrutiny of nomination forms will take place on August 31 and September 1, followed by the publication of the preliminary candidate list on September 2. The deadline for withdrawal of nomination papers is set for September 3 from 9:00am to 5:00pm, with the final list of candidates to be announced on September 4.

Voting will be held on September 15 from 9:00am to 4:00pm in every residential hall, with counting and results to be declared the same day.