The BNP has adopted a tougher organisational approach to enforcing party discipline and strengthening its structure, with recent actions targeting allegations of misconduct and irregularities. At the same time, efforts are underway to revitalise key units in Dhaka and expand activities at the grassroots level.
In recent weeks, the party has signalled a zero-tolerance stance through the expulsion of leaders and activists, the dissolution of committees and an order for a lawmaker to resign. It has also begun reorganising key organisational units in Dhaka, expanding grassroots activities and prioritising clean reputations, organisational experience and public engagement in leadership selection.
BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman said the party had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards wrongdoing.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy against any wrongdoing. The prime minister is also taking a strict stance, and I think this is the right policy,” she said.
She said BNP leaders and activists had faced repression and persecution for a long time, and some may have developed an attitude after the change of power that “the Awami League did it, so I will do it too”.
“Such behaviour is not acceptable,” she said.
“Party discipline will be maintained at any cost. At the same time, when allegations are raised, they are being verified and organisational action is being taken accordingly,” Selima Rahman said.
The central leadership's position has also been reflected in several recent incidents.
Reserved women's seat lawmaker Ferdousi Ahmed Misty was instructed by the prime minister to resign following allegations of an attack, vandalism and looting at the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur. She has denied the allegations and called for an investigation to clarify the matter.
Earlier, three key organisational committees in Dhaka were dissolved, including the 51-member convening committee of Dhaka North BNP, Dhaka North Jubo Dal and Dhaka West Chhatra Dal.
During the same period, 14 leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated and associate organisations were expelled over allegations of violating party discipline and engaging in unethical activities deemed unacceptable by the party.
However, not all the committee dissolutions were directly linked to the Radda centre incident, and the relevant notices did not mention the incident.
No specific reason was given for dissolving the Dhaka North BNP committee, although the party said a new committee would be formed. Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal, meanwhile, said their respective committees had been dissolved because their terms had expired.
Warning against using party identity for personal gain
Party sources said the central leadership had issued strict warnings against using the BNP's identity for personal gain.
District and metropolitan leaders have been instructed to monitor the activities of party leaders and activists in their respective areas and promptly inform the central leadership if anyone is found using the party's identity to exert influence, engaging in extortion, occupying property, seeking personal benefits or taking the law into their own hands.
BNP leaders said keeping the party organisation active had become increasingly important alongside running the government.
Having returned to power after a long period in opposition, the central leadership has stepped up scrutiny of grassroots leaders and activists, as well as the effectiveness of local organisational units.
Sources said a joint meeting held at the BNP's central office in September decided to increase political and organisational activities across the country.
Local units were instructed to keep party offices active, hold regular organisational meetings and programmes, strengthen communication among leaders at the thana and ward levels, and maintain a visible organisational presence in their respective areas.
The meeting also instructed party leaders to inform law enforcement agencies if they noticed suspicious activities or attempts to create disorder.
BNP begins process to form Dhaka metropolitan committees
The BNP has also begun the process of selecting new leadership for Dhaka North and Dhaka South, with public acceptability and the ability to maintain effective communication with leaders and activists at the ward and thana levels among the key considerations.
The focus on the Dhaka organisation stems not only from the capital's central role in political programmes but also from the upcoming local government elections.
The north and south metropolitan units are key structures for coordinating party organisations at the ward and thana levels. Ahead of the elections, the party needs to keep its grassroots network active around potential mayoral and councillor candidates.
According to party sources, a clean image alone will not be sufficient for the new leadership. Long-standing political and organisational experience, standing by the party during difficult times, maintaining communication with grassroots leaders and activists, and the ability to mobilise the organisation when necessary are also being considered.
Discussions are therefore underway on forming the new leadership by combining experienced organisers with relatively younger leaders.
At the same time, the BNP is emphasising the need to reduce internal divisions at the grassroots level.
Party Chairman Tarique Rahman has previously stressed the importance of reaching a consensus on fielding a single candidate in each area ahead of the local government elections. Maintaining organisational unity at the ward, thana and local levels has therefore become an important consideration for the central leadership.
However, discussions are also underway on ensuring that efforts to enforce organisational discipline do not alienate leaders and activists who have remained active on the ground for years.
A senior BNP leader said: “There is no alternative to leaders with clean images if we want to restore the party's organisational tradition, strengthen Dhaka-centric politics, prepare for the upcoming local government elections and maintain political stability.”