BNP is facing a complex organisational challenge as it navigates the parallel realities of running the government and party activities. In recent political landscape, the government and party have seemly merged into one.
However, a tangible distance has developed between the government and BNP’s organisational activities, which is becoming increasingly apparent and impacting this party’s overall effectiveness.
This situation is particularly critical with the upcoming local government elections on the horizon. Party leaders themselves believe that internal issues must be resolved before these polls, or BNP could face significant challenges.
After a long struggle, BNP formed the government with massive public support, securing a two-thirds majority in parliament. As this government is only one month old, the administrative structure and party realignment are still taking time.
During this period, many key leaders have accepted cabinet responsibilities, resulting in a leadership vacuum at the organisational level. This has led many to believe the government and BNP have become one, even though the two are intended to function under separate structures.
According to senior leaders, this situation is not unusual. BNP’s organisational structure was already somewhat weakened due to a long period out of power and the pressure of numerous legal cases against top leaders.
The lack of active central leadership in field-level activities has created a gap between decision-making and implementation, which has extended down to the district and upazila levels.
In many areas, full committees have not yet been formed, while other committees have expired. Consequently, grassroots activists are unable to play an effective role due to a lack of direction.
Mid-level leaders echo this sentiment, noting that the party’s organisational structure remains incomplete in various parts of the country.
The work of forming or restructuring new committees is progressing slowly, and party activities are being conducted without formal committees in many places, which has reduced organisational dynamism.
They believe that while BNP’s presence in state power should have strengthened organisational activities, the reality is the opposite. There are fears that this could lead to further weakening of the organisation in the future.
Another major issue at the grassroots level is the ongoing pressure of legal cases. Although BNP is now in power, many leaders and activists from the central to the local levels still have cases pending against them.
Due to these legal burdens, many are forced to stay away from active politics, which is reducing the party’s presence in the field and hindering the implementation of programmes.
Internal division significant concern
Internal division has also become a significant concern, with increasing differences in opinion and a tendency towards grouping among leadership at various levels. This problem has become more acute following the recent general election.
Those who failed to win despite receiving party nominations are losing influence in their areas. Conversely, Members of Parliament elected as “rebel” candidates are strengthening their positions locally.
This has created confusion at the local level, with many activists leaning towards these new centres of power.
Grassroots leaders have expressed concern that if these problems are not resolved quickly, the party may face a greater crisis in the future. Rival political parties, especially those with strong grassroots organisations, could capitalise on this opportunity, making it difficult for BNP to maintain its position in the field.
Addressing these issues, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said party activities have not ceased entirely but are continuing on a smaller scale. He noted that it takes time to form a government and that many party members are now serving in government roles.
It will take some time to fill those vacancies. In his view, this is not an isolated incident, and it is a natural process for the government and the party to perform their respective duties.
Political analysts also believe there is a way out of the current situation.
They recommend that BNP must focus on rapid organisational restructuring, including the creation of new leadership from the centre to the grassroots, the reformation of committees, and initiatives to establish party unity.
Additionally, it is essential to conduct regular political programmes and increase engagement with local issues.
Ultimately, BNP is passing through a period of transition, where its primary responsibility is to manage the dual challenge of governing while simultaneously strengthening the party organisation.
Taking the right steps could allow the party to overcome this temporary stagnation and return to a strong position.
A BNP Advisory Council member, preferring to be anonymous, has indicated that initiatives are being taken to organise the party, and BNP high command is expected to hold discussions regarding the organisational situation shortly after Eid.
