Following the completion of its scheduled two-year term, the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is preparing for a leadership change. A new partial central committee, expected to comprise leaders who have distinguished themselves through street protests and political movements, could be announced in early September. A new Dhaka University unit committee, widely regarded as the organization's most important unit, is also expected.
Party sources said the new central committee is likely to be announced in the first week of September. A preliminary list of eligible candidates has already been submitted to BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and the party's top policymakers.
Contenders for the top posts are now engaged in last-minute lobbying and political activities. Party insiders said candidates' roles in past political movements, particularly the July-August mass uprising, along with their organizational abilities and public image, will be the key factors in selecting the new leadership.
The current seven-member partial central committee was announced on March 1, 2024, through a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. It named Md Rakibul Islam Rakib as president and Nasir Uddin Nasir as general secretary.
On June 15, 2024, the organization approved an expanded 260-member committee, including 39 vice presidents and 111 joint general secretaries.
A seven-member partial committee for the Dhaka University unit was also announced the same day, with Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas appointed president and Nahiduzzaman Shipon general secretary.
Since taking office, the current leadership has carried out extensive organizational activities to strengthen JCD's grassroots network. During its tenure, the organization formed or reorganized committees in Dhaka North and South metropolitan units, public and private universities, districts, metropolitan branches, medical colleges and hundreds of other units across the country.
With the committee's tenure ending on March 1, 2026, the party has stepped up efforts to appoint a new leadership to sustain
organizational momentum and adapt to the changing political landscape following the student-led mass uprising.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, JCD General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir said: "The process of selecting the new leadership is underway in accordance with the organization's constitution. The party's policymakers are overseeing the matter."
"We believe the new leadership will comprise individuals who have proven themselves through political movements, possess strong organizational skills and enjoy broad acceptance among students. The current committee is also working to hand over a strong and dynamic organization to its successors," he added.
Potential candidates for the central committee
More than a dozen leaders are being discussed for the posts of president and general secretary.
Aman Ullah Aman, the current organizational secretary and former member secretary of Dhaka University JCD, is considered a leading contender.
Monjurul Alam Riyad, a central vice president, is also considered a strong contender. He previously served as member secretary of Amar Ekushey Hall JCD at Dhaka University before becoming a central joint general secretary.
Another prominent candidate is Ibrahim Khalil, a joint general secretary from Lakshmipur, who played an active role during the July-August 2024 mass uprising. He has said he wants to transform JCD into a student-friendly organization focused on education and research.
Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas, president of Dhaka University JCD and an MPhil researcher in the Department of International Relations at Dhaka University, is also in the race.
Mominul Islam Jisan, another Joint General Secretary, is widely regarded as a dedicated and grassroots-friendly leader.
Other widely discussed names include Joint General Secretary Mominul Islam Jisan, who is regarded as a dedicated grassroots organizer, and Nahiduzzaman Shipon, general secretary of Dhaka University JCD, who is seen as a leading contender because of his clean, modern and student-friendly image.
Joint General Secretary Raju Ahmed is also viewed as a strong candidate, enjoying significant grassroots support for his close engagement with local leaders and activists.
Minhaj Ahmed Prince, the organization's literature and publications secretary, is another strong candidate. A student leader from Dhaka University's 2011-12 academic session, he has built a positive reputation through his involvement in JCD's intellectual and publicity activities, as well as humanitarian work on campus.
Anisur Rahman Khondoker Anik, a student of the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies at Dhaka University and a vice president of the university unit, is also under consideration. He previously contested for the post of general secretary in the 2019 DUCSU election as part of the JCD panel.
Other names under discussion include Anwar Parvez, Md Khorshed Alam Sohel, H M Abu Jafar, Ejajul Kabir Ruwel, Mostafizur Rahman, Sharif Pradhan Shuvo, Mahmud Islam Kajol, Azizul Haque Jiyon, Kazi Zia Uddin Basit, Dr Abdul Auwal and several others.
What the contenders say
Monjurul Alam Riyad, vice president, said: "I have spent many years working alongside the organization on the streets. If given the opportunity to lead, my priority will be strengthening organizational unity and advancing students' rights."
Ibrahim Khalil, joint general secretary, said: "Strengthening the organization is more important than whether I receive a leadership position. However, if entrusted with responsibility, I want to build JCD into a modern organization centered on education, research and students' real-life challenges."
Minhaj Ahmed Prince, literature and publications secretary, said: "I want to see JCD become more active not only politically but also in intellectual and creative pursuits. Whatever responsibility the organization assigns me, I will carry it out with dedication."
