Tarique Rahman signals imminent reshuffle of JCD leadership

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has signalled that a new leadership of the Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) could be announced soon, during a meeting with six senior leaders of the BNP’s student wing in Dhaka on Thursday night (August 13).

The roughly 30-minute meeting was held at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan.

Leaders who attended the meeting said Tarique Rahman thanked the organisation for its role during the Awami League’s rule and the 2024 mass movement, while praising its activities.

He also advised the organisation to maintain continuity in more than 2,200 organisational committees formed across the country, according to leaders present at the meeting.

JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib, Senior Vice-President Abu Afsan Mohammad Yahya, General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, Senior Joint General Secretary Shyamal Malum, Organising Secretary Aman Ullah Aman and Office Secretary Mohammad Jahangir Alam attended the meeting.

A JCD joint secretary said Tarique formally thanked the outgoing leadership and expressed satisfaction with its activities, while wishing the leaders well in their future political careers.

The issue of the current committee’s tenure also came up during the meeting. Tarique Rahman informed the leaders about the formation of a new committee and, according to one participant, informally sought their views on potential candidates for the next leadership.

The outgoing leaders also expressed regret to Tarique Rahman over the JCD’s defeats in student elections at several universities, including the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union.

The possibility of a leadership change gained further momentum after Rakibul Islam Rakib posted a farewell message on Facebook late Thursday night. He said his “best chapter” in life was nearing its end in an atmosphere of honour and cordiality, and expressed his desire to begin a “new life”. He also hoped the new committee would be warmly welcomed.

The current JCD committee was formed on March 1, 2024, with Rakibul Islam Rakib as president and Nasir Uddin as general secretary. Several JCD leaders said more than 10 individuals from the current and previous leaderships are interested in the top two posts and that some have already begun contacting senior BNP leaders.

Although Rakib could not be reached for comment, a leader who attended Thursday’s meeting said Tarique gave a clear indication that the next JCD committee could be announced at any time.