For nearly a decade, BNP has not held its national council, despite a constitutional requirement to do so every three years. The delay has created a leadership vacuum and slowed organisational activity across the party and its associate and affiliated bodies.
After nearly one and a half decades out of power, BNP returned to office this year with a landslide victory. However, organisational sluggishness and internal conflicts from the centre to the grassroots are increasingly visible.
Political analysts say the party’s structure has weakened due to prolonged council delays and reliance on expired committees. BNP last held its national council in March 2016.
Despite a decade passing, no move has been made to organise a new council, drawing criticism within the party. Some leaders have questioned the current leadership, alleging that many senior figures have held key posts for years.
A similar pattern is evident in associate and affiliated bodies, where some committees have remained in place for three to five years, and in some cases over a decade.
Grassroots workers say this has narrowed opportunities for new leadership and slowed organisational momentum.
Almost all committees of BNP’s nine associate and two affiliated organisations have expired.
Many bodies, including Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Mohila Dal, Krishak Dal, Tanti Dal, Matsyajibi Dal, Muktijoddha Dal, JASAS, and Olama Dal, lack full committees.
Chhatra Dal and Sramik Dal are also weak, with most activities run through partial committees.
Grassroots leaders say this is eroding organisational strength.
Leaders at different levels, speaking on condition of anonymity, told TIMES of Bangladesh that prolonged continuation of the same leadership has deepened internal divisions.
Many committed leaders are becoming frustrated due to a lack of recognition and are gradually withdrawing from politics. They also cited weak coordination and poor information flow as factors reducing grassroots engagement.
After winning the 12 February national election, BNP is now governing under Chairman Tarique Rahman. As prime minister, he is occupied with state responsibilities, implementing electoral pledges, and managing foreign relations, while attempting to reorganise the party.
Since forming the government, BNP’s organisational challenges have intensified. A large portion of the central leadership now serves as Members of Parliament, ministers, or in other key roles.
Standing committee members, vice-chairmen, and advisers are increasingly tied up with administrative duties. As a result, the party’s central office at Naya Paltan is no longer as active as before.
Once a hub of political mobilisation, it now appears largely subdued. Grassroots workers say other senior leaders must step up organisational roles.
The condition of associate bodies is more concerning. Jubo Dal has long been operating with a partial committee.
In Chhatra Dal, the absence of a full committee has created strong resentment among those deprived of positions.
Its failure in last year’s Ducsu and other university elections is widely linked to organisational weakness and internal conflict.
Sramik Dal has not had a central committee for more than a decade. Mohila Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal face similar situations.
In many cases, leadership vacuums have emerged as top leaders moved into government roles. Grouping and lobbying within the party are increasing.
Despite intense competition for positions, organisational discipline and the chain of command are weakening.
BNP policymakers, however, say they are aware of the situation. Local Government Minister and party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the national council could be held within this year.
He said organisational work has been affected as many leaders are now in government, but he does not see it as an isolated issue.
BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain MP said leaders have remained busy since forming the government. He said organisational activities are ongoing, but it is uncertain whether the council will be held this year or next.
According to the current status, Chhatra Dal last formed a partial committee in 2024. Under President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, the absence of a full committee has slowed activities.
Sramik Dal last held its council in April 2014, with no new committee formed in over 13 years. Although Anwar Hossain and Nurul Islam Khan Nasim are in the committee, MP Shimul Biswas is overseeing the organisation.
Jubo Dal formed a partial committee on 9 July 2024. Under President Abdul Monayem Munna and General Secretary Nurul Islam Nayan, a full committee is yet to be formed.
Swechchhasebak Dal formed its committee on 4 September 2022. The expired committee, led by SM Jilani and Rajib Ahsan, has 37 vacant positions.
Mohila Dal formed its committee in 2019. Under President Afroza Abbas and General Secretary Sultana Ahmed, the same committee has remained in place for seven years, fuelling internal conflict.
JASAS formed an ad hoc committee in 2021. The committee, led by Convenor Helal Khan and Member Secretary Zakir Hossain Rokon, has expired, leading to disputes.
Matsyajibi Dal formed its committee in 2019 and restructured it in 2024. The post of president has remained vacant since the death of Rafiqul Islam Mahtab.
Krishak Dal formed its committee on 7 December 2021. The tenure of the committee, led by President Hasan Jafir Tuhin and General Secretary Shahidul Islam Babul, now a Member of Parliament, has also expired.
Muktijoddha Dal last formed its committee on 24 December 2013. The organisation, led by President Bir Muktijoddha Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat and General Secretary Sadek Khan, is barely functioning.
Tanti Dal formed an ad hoc committee on 6 April 2019. It is currently run by Convenor Abul Kalam Azad and Member Secretary Mojibur Rahman.
Although Olama Dal has a new committee, its activities remain minimal.
Political analysts warn BNP could face a major crisis if it fails to reorganise quickly. They say the party must act swiftly to address organisational weaknesses while in government or risk long-term erosion of its political strength.
