On Tuesday, Khaleda Zia, Chairperson of BNP, returned home to a tumultuous reception given by her party leaders and supporters. As expected, it was a grand display of support and loyalty to the septuagenarian leader with slogans in thousand voices piercing the stillness of a placid noon.
From the airport, BNP supporters ran behind the vehicle until it reached her residence at Gulshan.
The pompous rally has caught the attention of the world media for the sheer scale of things. As expected, party leaders of all denominations were there to confirm that they were there. Being seen at such times is important in politics. The mile long cavalcade crawled its way through the frenzied crowd blocking both sides of the road. Media reports say that it took 3 hours for her to reach home at Gulshan from the airport. Undoubtedly, to remain confined in a small space for three hours was a litmus test of her physical endurance.
What message did the spectacle, the fanfare, the sheer size of the crowd, and the passion of the party activists, send to the political hub in the country? Well, in one sentence it was: We are a force to be reckoned with. Yes, it was a loud and clear message and it resonated in the booming voice of the supporters.
It is most likely that other political parties, old and new, have already sat in an emergency meeting on Tuesday evening with their policy planners to take a look at their own stock and formulate strategies for their future course of action. The restrained muscle-flexing by BNP on Tuesday possibly sent the intended message home for the political opponents.
A visibly rejuvenated BNP will take full advantage of the situation now with Khaleda Zia in town and fit enough to give advice and instructions to leaders. There is a psychological benefit of having your leader nearby and within your reach at times of emergency. Analysts tend to believe that a very important party position might be offered to Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wife of her son Tarique Rahman in a bid to prepare her for more serious roles in future. Only time will give us the right answer.
With the general elections almost breathing down the nation’s neck, Tuesday’s show of solidarity and strength was what BNP needed at this juncture of its existence. Now the question being asked by political analysts is whether Khaleda Zia was given some kind of assurance by some powerful quarter regarding the party’s participation in the parliamentary election. Otherwise, why should she come back leaving the comfort and company of her son in London? Time will reveal the truth soon.
I find it a little awe-striking by the grandeur of the reception where the civil and police administration as well as the army was on duty to ensure her protection and smooth passage to home. We have seen that usually a head of the state is given such protocol. What is the message here? Once again, let us wait and see.
The pertinent question going around now is, will the BNP win a majority of parliament seats and form the next government by itself? To ensure a majority in parliament, BNP will have to make its bases in the rural parts stronger with genuine politicians. It has to resurface with a clean image. Already allegations of ‘chandabaji’ or extortion against the party’s young cadres are coming to the media. Such allegations will immensely damage the reputation of the party and leaders will have to pay the price during election time. They will have to win elections with genuine people’s vote. The party senior leaders will have to purge the party of such elements.
If Awami League is not allowed to take part in the next national elections, it is most likely that many Awami Leaguers will prefer to vote for BNP. It will come as a bonus for them. Many other parties will perhaps support BNP candidates. Therefore, BNP has a plenty to do between now and election time and Khaleda Zia will have to do her homework well to create an impact.
The writer is a senior journalist