Drug tests to pick leaders!

In an unprecedented move, several Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal workers of an upazila unit had to undergo urine test to prove to be 'fit' for top positions of the local unit.

This news received attention in some local and international media. The JCD high command reacted sharply to the process of selecting leadership.   

The incident took place at Faridpur's Boalmari Upazila, some 150km away from the capital.

Shah Mohammad Abu Zafar, former MP of Faridpur-1 (Boalmari-Modhukhali-Alfadanga) initiated the move at his Hashamdia village house in Boalmari upazila yesterday.

“I arranged this [urine test] to ensure that no drug addicts can be Chhatra Dal leaders in the upazila,” he said.    

Eight JCD leaders of the upazila unit gave their urine for the drug test.

“If anyone wants to be a member of the upazila unit of Chhatra Dal, he must be free from drugs and be healthy. A leader is an idol of society,” said Zafar, also a member of the BNP Central Committee.

“We collected urine from eight boys and their urine will be sent to Dhaka for tests,” he told journalists yesterday afternoon.

Walid Morsalin, a candidate for the post of president of the upazila unit of JCD said, “We went there [Zafar's home] and gave our urine for testing.  We want to help our nation. So I think we should be free from all kinds of drugs.”

It was an excellent idea for all, he added.

Md Pikul Mia, who hopes for the General Secretary position of the unit said, “We willingly gave our urine. If I pass, I will be a leader and otherwise I won't. I take it positively.”

Modasar Ali, General Secretary of Faridpur District said, “This is a funny system. It is not a real process to electing any leader.”

Central JCD General Secretary Akramul Hasan said electing or selecting leadership of JCD in any stage is no one's business but theirs. 

“There has never been any process or history of conducting urinary tests for choosing Chhatra Dal leaders in the country,” he told The Daily Star.