A large number of leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami gathered in areas adjacent to the main entrance of Rajshahi University on Thursday, coinciding with the elections to the university central students’ union (RUCSU), hall unions, and Senate student representatives.
Jamaat activists were seen scattered across the field beside the university’s main gate, while BNP supporters took position along the walkway on the Rajshahi–Dhaka highway that separates the campus from nearby localities.
Al Mamun Babu, general secretary of the Motihar unit of Rajshahi metropolitan BNP, told ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ· that they had assembled near the campus to observe the polls.
‘The RUCSU elections are being held after a long gap. It is a festive occasion for us, so we have gathered here to observe and share the joy,’ he said.
Meanwhile, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal central organising secretary Amanullah Aman alleged in a Facebook post that Jamaat activists were distributing weapons among their men at the field near the campus ahead of the elections.
However, this correspondent found no such activity at the spot—only cooking equipment was seen there.
Liton, who introduced himself as a Jamaat activist and local businessman, was found supervising cooking arrangements at the field.
‘Since the elections are being held near our area, around 400 of us have gathered here. As we plan to stay throughout the day, we have arranged lunch,’ he said.