Staff Correspondent
The two-day long biennial 28th National Council of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL),  student wing of ruling Awami League (AL), begins today (Saturday) at the historic Shurawardy Udayan, after a gap of four years.
Prime Minister, also Awami League President, Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the programme as a chief guest at around 10am and PM's ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy is expected attend as special guest at the programme.
BCL President HM Badiuzzaman Shohag will preside over the programme.
On the second day, the council session of the programme will start at 10am where new BCL president and general secretary will be elected.
All kinds of preparations have already been taken for the programme, said Vice-President Mohiuddin Mahi. He also said, "We have also preparations to use the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium as an alternative venue in case of inclement weather."
A total of 242 candidates bought and submitted nomination papers to the election commissioner for the posts of President and General Secretary.
Of them, 13 nomination papers of president candidates were cancelled as age limit, marital status and age forgery, on the other hand, 17 nomination papers in general secretary category were cancelled for same reason.
Election Commissioner and BCL Office Secretary Sheikh Rasel said, "A total of 80 nomination forms were bought for the post of president and 162 for the post of general secretary. We have already scrutinised the aspirants' age, studentship, marital status etc."
A three- member committee led by Chief Election Commissioner Sumon Kundu is scrutinising the nomination forms.
The BCL started distribution and collection of nomination forms from July 12.
Aspirants and their followers are passing busy times in lobbying with former BCL leaders and other high-level leaders of the AL. To this end, most of the candidates did not even go to their homes to spend the Eid vacation.
Council will start at 11 am with the national anthem and national flag hoisting at the council venue. After that party music will be played. The BCL General Secretary will present the annual report.
A crest will be given to the Prime Minister, on behalf of BCL as a special honour to her.
A "performing stage" was made in front of main stage. From where, all the group performances will be presented.
On the other hand, BCL has invited Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) to its National Council also.
A delegation of BCL, handed over the invitation letters at the JCD Central Office at Nayapaltan in the city on Thursday.