To ease the tension over the results of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, three advisers of the interim government held talks with the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. The Chief Adviser’s special assistant and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner also spoke with leaders of the two parties.
BNP and Jamaat leaders confirmed the matter. The government conveyed a clear message that law enforcement agencies would take tough action if outsiders entered the university.
On Tuesday, the polling for DUCSU and hall union elections began at 8 a.m. and continued until 4 p.m. Candidates backed by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and Bagchash accused each other of violating the electoral code of conduct and committing irregularities.
On the election day, outsiders were barred from entering Dhaka University. As a result, BNP and Jamaat activists gathered at the entry points of the campus. During polling hours, BNP leaders and activists gathered in the Press Club area, while Jamaat activists positioned themselves around Shahbagh and New Market areas. BNP activists were also present on one side of Shahbagh.
In the evening, Dhaka city Chhatra Dal brought out a procession from Banglamotor towards Shahbagh. BNP and its front organizations gathered at Naya Paltan, while Jamaat continued its presence at Shahbagh. This created fears of clashes.
According to political sources, in order to defuse the situation, Economic Affairs Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul, Home Affairs Adviser (Retd.) Lt. Gen. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Home Ministry’s special assistant Khoda Bux Chowdhury, and DMP Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjad Ali held phone conversations with the leaders of the two parties.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told Samakal that the Law Adviser and two or three others had called. They advised lowering the tension. BNP gave assurance that there would be no conflict and conveyed the message to its concerned leaders and activists.
Senior Jamaat leaders also confirmed to Samakal that they had phone conversations with government advisers. Two leaders said they told the government that Jamaat would not engage in any clashes. They would not enter the university but would remain in the surrounding areas until the election results were announced.
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