While governing the state an honour, it is also a fastidious test of BNP’s organisational strength. At present, the BNP is entrusted with the responsibility of running the government in Bangladesh. In this context, it is crucial for the party in ensuring that its own identity and organisational foundation do not weaken. Past experiences show that excessive focus on governing often leads parties to suffer significant organisational erosion. Avoiding this risk is one of the major challenges the party faces now.
In the political landscape of Bangladesh, maintaining balance between running the government and keeping the party well-organised has always been difficult. With the BNP in power, it is now facing the dual responsibility of effective state management and strengthening its party structure.
Past experiences suggest that when a party becomes overly absorbed in the draw of power, its internal structure weakens, and it eventually pays a political price. It was no different in the case of the Awami League, when the lines between party and government became blurred and organisation began to crumble. The leaders and activists of ruling parties naturally become heavily involved in administrative and state affairs. As a result, time and attention devoted to party activities often decline. If, in the BNP’s case, grassroots organisation becomes neglected due to the pressures of governance, the party could weaken over the long-term. The strength of a political party lies in its field-level organisation, ideological engagement and the continuous building of new leadership.
Political experience provides a notable example of organisational erosion during prolonged time in power. Over time, many leaders and activists begin to think of themselves more as representatives of the government than of the party. When the necessary distinction between party and government becomes blurred, organisational discipline weakens and political costs eventually follow. Previous periods of extended rule have shown how party structures can gradually fall under bureaucratic influence, creating distance from grassroots activists and supporters. Such weaknesses become especially visible during political adversity. The party should maintain a clear institutional separation between the party and the government from the outset.
BNP’s first priority should be to build a party that is organisation-driven rather than government-dependent. Success of the government may bring temporary popularity, but only a strong party can ensure long-term political survival. Regular party councils, organisational elections, training programmes and increased grassroots activism are indispensable. In particular, the process of bringing the younger generation into leadership must be strengthened.
In a democratic system, the government and the political party are expected to function as two distinct entities. The government manages state laws and administration, while the party maintains public engagement and promotes political ideology. However, when party activists become overly entangled in government functions, the party’s core ideology and organisational work suffer. Apart from this, effective governance, the BNP must give equal importance to strengthening its party machinery.
It is often noticed that leaders holding party posts become preoccupied with administrative privileges while in power, weakening their connection with the grassroots. This trend is harmful to a party’s long-term survival. Therefore, the BNP should reinforce organisational discipline at every level. A strong internal structure enables a party to withstand governmental crises. Besides, ministers and officials in state positions, it is essential to cultivate full-time party organisers dedicated solely to party work. This will help keep party activities vibrant despite administrative pressures. Party forums must also remain active in fostering internal debate and participatory decision-making.
BNP must renew its emphasis on ideological politics. Beyond winning power, presenting a clear political vision and programme to the public is key to a party’s durability. Developing and promoting research-based policy papers on the economy, education, employment, and local governance will strengthen the party institutionally.
Maintaining regular communication with the grassroots is equally critical. If central leadership becomes disconnected from field realities, the party gradually turns into a paper structure. District and upazila visits, worker conferences, and digital communication platforms should integrate into the party’s organisational maintenance. Achieving effective coordination between governing the state and building the party will be the true test of the BNP’s political wisdom. Moving away from the tendency of ‘everyone becoming the government,’ the party must establish itself as an ideologically grounded and disciplined organisation. Only then can it both govern successfully and preserve the organisational strength needed to face future political challenges.
Balance between government and party, institutional discipline, and a strong grassroots foundation- these are the demands of the time. If BNP can keep these three pillars strong, it will be able to avoid past mistakes and establish itself as a sustainable political force.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author
The writer is an Associate Professor, Communication and Media Studies, UODA and Journalist at Daily Times of Bangladesh
