A storm of disunity has engulfed the Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad (BGCS) as the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election approaches, with several of its leaders breaking away to run independently or join rival panels.

Formed just six months ago under the banner of Students Against Discrimination, BGCS now faces a critical question: how much ground can it hold in the DUCSU polls scheduled for September 9 amid these defections? Even senior leaders acknowledge the divisions could affect the outcome, but stress that democratic rights cannot be curtailed.

“DUCSU is everyone’s democratic right. We cannot deprive anyone of it,” said Abdul Kader, convenor of the organisation.

A Turbulent Beginning
BGCS, formally launched on February 26 at Madhur Canteen—the symbolic hub of Dhaka University politics—saw internal clashes from day one. Known as BAGSAS in Bengali, the group is widely viewed as the student wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP), founded by July Uprising leaders, though its leaders insist it is independent.

For the DUCSU election, BGCS is fielding candidates under the panel name “Boishamyabirodhi Chhatra Sangsad” (Anti-Discrimination Students’ Union). Kader is contesting vice-president, while central convenor Abu Bakar Majumdar is running for general secretary. Other nominees include Ashrefa Khatun for assistant GS, and university organiser Hasibul Islam for Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary.

However, overlaps have emerged. Joint Organising Secretary Abu Sayeed has also filed for the same post as Hasibul, raising the prospect of internal clashes. In a gesture of respect for Sanjida Ahmed Tonni, whose photo after a BCL attack became symbolic of the July Uprising, BGCS has left the post of research and publications secretary vacant.

Breakaways and Independents
Despite the panel, several BGCS leaders—including spokesperson Tahmid Al Mudasir, Ashiqur Rahman Jim, Joint Secretary Abu Salehin Ayon, and Sanjana Afifa Aditi—are contesting independently. Aditi explained, “I submitted my nomination before the panel was finalised, and I was not informed of my placement, so I chose to run independently.”

Tahmid, Aditi, and Jim are contesting assistant GS against Ashrefa, while Ayon is vying for Liberation War secretary against Hasibul. Central member Riaz Uddin is also standing independently.

Central Member Secretary Zahid Ahsan defended the breakaways: “We cannot curtail anyone’s democratic rights. Our panel has limited space, so they are free to contest.” Kader admitted the split may affect votes but argued each candidate represents distinct constituencies across faculties.

Other Defections
Umama Fatema, another July Uprising leader, joined the “Independent Students’ Unity” panel as a VP candidate. Similarly, NCP Joint Member Secretary Mahin Sarkar was expelled for “gross organisational indiscipline” and is now contesting for GS under the “Combined Students’ Union” panel. Former organisers Sabbir Uddin Rion and Bayezid Hasan also joined this panel.

Several other leaders resigned and are running independently, including Joint Convenor Muktasen Moktar and Joint Secretary Azizul Haque. Well-known activist Rupaiya Shrestha also left BGCS, citing marginalisation.

Everyone a Candidate—Except One
Almost all members of BGCS’s central committee and Dhaka University unit are contesting DUCSU, except central Member Secretary Zahid Ahsan, who prioritises organisational interests over electoral ambition.

Outlook
With multiple candidates from its own ranks running against one another, BGCS risks splitting its vote. Kader admitted this could create a perception of disunity but framed it as a reflection of the organisation’s democratic ethos.

“Yes, it creates a perception of disunity, but since all are familiar faces from the July Uprising, we could not forbid anyone or impose restrictions,” he said.

The upcoming DUCSU election will test whether the fledgling BGCS can withstand internal fractures—or whether its openness, once hailed as a strength, will prove a liability at the ballot box.