After 27 years, Chhatra Dal’s sixth council session will be held on Sept 14. Its president and general secretary will be elected through direct vote. Already, 45 candidates have passed the assessment requirements of the selection committee.

Reportedly, 110 candidates submitted nomination papers and then the BNP sent letters to all districts to get more information about the candidates.

Presidential candidate Mamun Khan, said: “I come from Jhalokathi and people from my district have said they are receiving calls from Dhaka asking for information about me.”

"This indicates that the high command is taking interest in the council," he added.

Reportedly, former president Al Mehedi Taluker was the most powerful candidate of Chhatra Dal until recently but once his marriage was proved, his candidature was deemed illegal. In addition, many candidates misreported their age, forcing party leaders to probe their background more thoroughly.

The last date for the withdrawAL of candidature is Aug 31 and the final list of candidates will be published on Sept 2. Candidates will be able to carry out campaigns from Sept 3 till Sept 12 midnight. The voting will be held on Sept 14.

The assessment committee meeting presided over by BNP Organizational Secretary Fazlul Huq Milon included Khairul Kabir Khokon and BNPs publicity secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie.

BNP’s vice chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, says: “BNP is determined to successfully complete the sixth council and everyone is working to this aim.”

Since there is a condition That a post will be awarded only if one gets 10 per cent of the total vote, there may be many withdrawals in the end.

Despite the rigorous selection, many candidates fear the presence of syndicates and feel that unless the high command is strict, the council will be of no help.