Student political scene in the country is in turmoil as Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Islami Chhatra Shibir (Shibir), and the new Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) face accusations and disputes over their funding sources. These accusations have sparked a wave of online discussions, drawing attention to the lack of transparency and potential ethical breaches within student political groups.
The controversy escalated after a press conference held by the leaders of the JCD, on March 14, where they publicly questioned the funding sources of both the Shibir and NCP.
Over the past several years, while JCD struggled to organise public events due to the overwhelming influence of the Chhatra League under Sheikh Hasina government, allegations of corruption, extortion, and unethical fundraising methods plagued the group. In recent months, JCD has made a comeback, engaging in public political activities and, as accusations suggest, allegedly collecting funds from local businessmen.
Rakibul Islam Rakib, President of JCD, addressed these concerns in an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer. "All political parties should have financial transparency. We want youth-driven politics in the country. If we have a local-based programme, it is funded by local leaders and activists. Moreover, any large-scale programme would be beyond the financial capability of Chhatra Dal alone," Rakib explained.
According to him, their funds are generated by an organisation called 'BNP Family,' which was set up by BNP's acting chairperson, Tarique Rahman, along with contributions from former party leaders.
Amidst these allegations, another controversy has emerged surrounding NCP, which claims to have over 50,000 members across the country. The NCP, based at Rupayan Tower in capital's Banglamotor, operates from an office space measuring between 1,000 and 1,200 square feet, with a monthly rent of approximately Tk 3 lakh.
SM Saif Mostafiz, Joint Member Secretary of NCP, disclosed that the party is primarily funded by successful businessmen and professionals, accounting for 80 per cent of its members. The remaining 20 per cent are students or unemployed individuals.
"All office expenses are covered by membership contributions. We are also developing a website for transparency, where all financial information will be disclosed publicly," Saif noted.
The NCP has been actively raising funds for charitable events, such as a recent Iftar event in capital's Suhrawardy Udyan, which catered to approximately 4,000 people. The cost of the food alone reached nearly Tk 7 lakh. Another high-profile Iftar event took place in capital's Intercontinental Hotel for political and intellectual figures, with expenses around Tk 25 to 30 lakh.
According to Saif Mostafiz, such events help break from the elitist political culture, stating, "We hold Iftar at the Intercontinental Hotel because you will never see political figures from BNP-Jamaat sitting down for Iftar with the public on the ground."
NCP's financial sources have also been linked to donations from business ventures. Saif disclosed that any member appearing on a talk show is expected to contribute 50 per cent of their earnings to the party fund, with some members donating up to 100 per cent.
"For instance, a portion of the profits from an app, 'Sahayak', owned by Dr Tasnim Zara contributes to the party's fund," Saif added. To further expand their funding base, the NCP is also planning to sell party-branded T-shirts, particularly targeted at young potential supporters.
Chhatra Shibir, meanwhile, has also been accused of financial mismanagement.
According to the organization's General Secretary, Nurul Islam Saddam, Shibir spends an estimated Tk 3 lakh daily, with funds primarily raised from voluntary donations from members and former members. A significant portion of their income also comes from the profits made from publishing activities. However, these funding sources have faced questions from rival organisations, with many demanding greater transparency.
Economic experts are weighing in on the matter. Dr Muhammad Shahadat Hossain Siddiquee, Professor of the Department of Economics at Dhaka University, pointed out the widespread lack of clarity regarding political organisations' funding in Bangladesh.
"Political parties do not disclose their funding sources, which creates significant distortions in the political landscape. The state's agencies should enforce internal and external audits and compel parties to submit their annual income statements. Without such measures, we risk further corruption and the erosion of public trust," he stated.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) also expressed concerns over the absence of accountability within political parties.
"Political corruption stems from the lack of transparency in party expenditures, particularly regarding election campaigns. The Election Commission should investigate these issues, but they have failed to do so," he told this correspondent.
This financial opacity is not only concerning in terms of political ethics but also impacts public perception and trust. Dr Siddiquee emphasised the need for political organisations to adhere to a rule of law, ensuring accountability and discouraging corruption. As it stands, many political parties in Bangladesh-including the ruling and opposition groups-have failed to disclose detailed financial reports, further contributing to the perception of dishonesty and political malpractice.
As the debate continues, calls for greater financial transparency in Bangladesh's political scene are growing louder. While youth-led political organisations such as NCP, JCD and Shibir continue to defend their fundraising strategies, the lack of clear financial disclosures remains a significant issue. The future of youth-led politics in the country may depend on whether these groups embrace full financial transparency and address the concerns surrounding their funding sources.
