In a strategic move to resolve internal factionalism and consolidate its grassroots foundation, BNP has launched an extensive organisational overhaul ahead of its National Council, tentatively scheduled for early next year.
Under the direct guidance of BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the party is prioritising the restructuring of its main units and affiliate organisations to re-energise field politics and ensure preparedness for upcoming local government elections.
According to party sources, Tarique has provided necessary directives to responsible leaders during several recent meetings. Work has already commenced on forming new committees for the party’s wings and affiliate organisations whose tenures have expired.
A new central committee for the Jatiyatabadi Swecchasebak Dal may be announced within this month. Moreover, the restructuring of BNP’s main party units at the grassroots level will begin in full swing following the conclusion of current budget session of Parliament.
Direct voting for new leadership
In accordance with instructions from the high command, new leadership will be chosen through direct voting via councils wherever feasible. There are plans to conduct these conferences in phases at the District, City, Upazila, Thana, and Ward levels.
Responsible leaders of the party stated that organisational work and field politics have experienced some stagnation following the elections on 12 February. Consequently, Tarique has instructed the Organising Secretaries to make the organisation more active and to increase engagement with the public.
To this end, BNP Chairman Tarique held separate meetings last Saturday at the party office in Gulshan with top leaders of the Dhaka City South BNP, Dhaka District BNP, and the Jatiyatabadi Swecchasebak Dal.
During these meetings, he issued directives to make the Dhaka city unit of BNP more active, keeping the forthcoming Dhaka City Corporation elections in mind.
Overcoming organisational hurdles
Party sources indicate that Tarique will gradually hold similar meetings with leaders of the Dhaka City North BNP, District-Thana committees, and various affiliate organisations. A source from BNP’s policy-making level mentioned that the restructuring of expired committees might begin in late July or August, though no formal schedule has been announced yet.
It is noteworthy that BNP’s sixth National Council was held on 19 March 2016. Although the party constitution mandates a council every three years, it was not possible to hold one due to various obstacles posed by the previous Awami League government.
However, during this long period, the party’s National Executive Committee has been restructured several times.
Most recently, following the death of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia on 30 December last year, Tarique assumed the role of full Chairman from his previous position as Acting Chairman.
Subsequently, under his leadership, BNP secured an absolute majority in the 13th National Parliamentary Election and formed the government.
Reforming affiliate wings
When asked about the National Council, BNP Standing Committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain told TIMES of Bangladesh that no final decision has been made yet regarding the date, but noted that party restructuring is a regular process conducted through councils.
Party Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince added that the chairman has issued clear instructions that all committees must be formed through councils to strengthen the government’s relationship with the people.
Regarding last Saturday’s meetings, sources say that Tarique first met with leaders of the Dhaka District BNP, where district leaders were present under the leadership of General Secretary Nipun Roy.
Following this, BNP Chairman sat for a meeting with top leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Swecchasebak Dal. During the meeting, he enquired about committees across the country and hinted at dissolving the expired central committee to form a new one.
Currently, out of the 11 wings and affiliate organisations of BNP, the committees of ten have expired, with only the Jubo Dal committee remaining valid.
Ensuring a stronger democratic foundation
A leader present at this meeting told TIMES that discussions primarily focused on the formation of new committees and the quick, non-controversial restructuring of district-level units.
Afterwards, Tarique held a meeting with Dhaka City South BNP Convener Rafiqul Alam Maznu, MP, and Member Secretary Tanveer Ahmed Robin.
Sources who attended the meeting revealed that Tarique explicitly asked for long-standing old committees to be restructured quickly and leadership should be determined through councils to make the party more democratic and acceptable.
Maznu told TIMES that Tarique instructed them to increase party activities to make the organisation stronger.
Member Secretary Tanveer Ahmed Robin stated that instructions were given to activate weak units at the Thana and Ward levels, though there was no discussion regarding the restructuring of the Dhaka City South committee itself.
Finally, commenting on the overall situation, BNP Standing Committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain told TIMES that while a specific date has not been fixed, there is a possibility the National Council will be held late this year or early next year.
