DUCSU poll: 3 advisers talk with BNP, Jamaat

Three advisers to the interim government have reportedly spoken to top leaders of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami over the phone to defuse the tension centering the vote counting of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) elections.

Several media outlets confirmed the matter, citing BNP and Jamaat leaders.

According to party sources, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Home Ministry Md. Khoda Bakhas Chowdhury and DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjad Ali spoke to the leaders of the two parties over the phone.

In this regard, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said that the Law Adviser and one or two others called him. They suggested reducing the tension. BNP has assured that they will not engage in any conflict. This message has been conveyed to the party's leaders and activists.

Meanwhile, senior leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami confirmed the media about the phone conversation with the government's advisers and said that Jamaat will not get involved in any clash and will not enter the university. However, the party men will not leave the area around the university until the election results are announced.

The voting for the DUCSU and hall parliamentary elections began at 8 am on Tuesday and continued until 4 pm. During this time, candidates from the Chhatra Dal, Islami Chhatra Shibir and the other panels made counter-allegations of violation of the code of conduct and vote rigging.

Meanwhile, a tense situation arose between the candidates of the two parties during the vote counting.

Metropolitan Chhatra Dal took out a procession from the Bangla Motor area towards Shahbagh, and leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliates took position in Naya Paltan. Meanwhile, Jamaat also maintained its position in Shahbagh, creating fear of conflicts.

In such a situation, the police said that law enforcement agency members will be strict if outsiders enter the university.