The BNP is preparing for its seventh national council to strengthen and unite the party and its affiliates in a bid to contest the upcoming general elections as a strong opposition.
The party is looking to hold councils in all the districts by the end of this year so that it can hold the national council early next year.
Leaders of the party's central committee have already had a discussion on the council, but could not finalize the date yet, and talks over the preparations have remained pending.
Senior BNP leaders told Dhaka Tribune that, through the council, the party would evaluate its leaders and activists from all echelons, starting from the grassroots, and that a strong committee would be formed with efficient and qualified members.
Priority
The BNP has already started working to organize its leaders and activists in preparation for the national council.
There have been councils at different thana levels. The process of organizing the party at the district level started on March 21, while the metropolitan-level councils started on March 20.
Also Read - Fakhrul: BNP not to join polls under AL
With the national elections on the horizon, the BNP is intensifying its efforts to finish holding the district councils as soon as possible and bolster the party's organizational strength.
Standing Committee Member Selima Rahman said that the party had already discussed the national council at a meeting. “But nothing is finalized yet, from the date of the council to how the council preparation committee would be formed,” she added.
Senior BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said that Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir would take all the decisions regarding the council.
Also Read - Fakhrul: BNP having harder time than 1/11 period
The party would form a full committee before the general elections, he stated.
Joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal said: “We hope the leaders who have been active even in the face of many years of adversity, attacks and lawsuits will be given priority in the national council.
“The role of experienced leaders will be given more priority, of course. But the party also has plans for the active leaders and workers.”
Selection process
Senior party leaders said that the posts of leaders and workers in the committee would be decided from the top level to enhance the party and strengthen its organization. At the same time, the choices of all levels would be given importance with the help of voice vote and secret ballot, they added.
However, in the interest of the party, all final decisions would be taken by the Standing Committee after verification and selection on the advice of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, said a leader, on condition of anonymity.
Also Read - Fakhrul: We can’t talk, breathe freely
He added that, through the council, many would rise through the ranks to hold important positions in the central committee, and young leaders would be given key responsibilities.
Asked about former BNP mayoral candidates Ishraque Hossain and Tabith Awal, he said that nothing could be said right now, but assured that everyone's work would be evaluated.
Mid-level leaders apprehensive
The party activists, working at the grassroots for many years and now hold the party’s mid-level leadership, and many others fear that they will be deprived of posts like that happened in every council.
Organizing Secretary Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, who is a former deputy minister, said that the party expected good leadership to emerge in the coming days.
“In the past, many people from other parties like the Awami League, Jasad and NAP got positions in the committee after joining the BNP, while those of us who have been working at the grassroots for 20 years are falling behind them as BNP leaders,” he added.
Also Read - BNP: Critics of Zia are anti-liberation elements
A mid-level leader said that it had been 22 years since he joined politics as a member of Jatiyatabadi Chatra Dal, the student wing of the BNP, and added that many leaders like him were awaiting evaluation. “Our top leaders know about our contributions,” he said.
Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul said that the party would start preparing for the council soon.
The BNP would be more active in its movement to oust the government through the formation of a strong committee, said the former state minister.
He added: “Now is not the time to talk about plans for the national council. We are now working on forming full committees of district-level units.”