Dhaka, Sept 10 (V7N) – In an effort to ease mounting tensions surrounding the results of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, three advisers to the interim government held discussions with leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami. Additionally, the Chief Adviser’s special assistant and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner engaged in talks with representatives of both parties.
 
Leaders from BNP and Jamaat confirmed the conversations, stating that the government had warned both sides that law enforcement would take a hardline approach if outsiders attempted to enter the university campus.
 
Voting for the DUCSU and hall unions took place on Tuesday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. The process was marred by allegations of vote rigging and violations of the electoral code of conduct, with candidates supported by the BNP’s student wing (Jatiyatabadi Chatra Dal), Jamaat’s student front (Islami Chatra Shibir), and the left-leaning Bagchas panel accusing each other of irregularities.
 
On election day, the university was off-limits to outsiders, but BNP and Jamaat activists gathered near the university’s entry points. BNP supporters assembled in front of the National Press Club, while Jamaat activists took positions in Shahbagh and New Market areas, where BNP activists were also present. Later in the evening, Dhaka city unit Chatra Dal marched from Bangla Motor toward Shahbagh, joined by BNP leaders at Naya Paltan. Jamaat maintained its presence in Shahbagh, raising fears of clashes.
 
According to political sources, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul, Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Home Ministry Special Assistant Md. Khoda Bakhsh Chowdhury, and DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjad Ali reached out by phone to BNP and Jamaat leaders to defuse tensions.
 
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed the calls, saying, “The law adviser and two others phoned us. They advised reducing tensions. We assured them there would be no confrontation, and we conveyed this message to our party workers.”
 
Senior Jamaat leaders also confirmed the phone conversations, stating that their party would not engage in violence or attempt to enter the university. However, they emphasized they would remain in surrounding areas until the election results were officially announced.
 
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