The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is one of the most popular political parties in Bangladesh. It was founded in 1978 by the late President Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981 while serving as President. After his death, his wife, Begum Khaleda Zia, took over the leadership. Known for her bravery and uncompromising stance against the then-Ershad regime, she was sworn in as Prime Minister for the first time on March 20, 1991. Under her strong and courageous leadership, the BNP came to power three times. However, following a violent movement led by the opposition Awami League demanding a caretaker government, which resulted in several deaths, Khaleda Zia`s government handed over power to a caretaker government in late October 2006.

The caretaker government led by Fakhruddin Ahmed and Moeen Uddin imposed severe repression on the BNP. Begum Khaleda Zia was imprisoned, and the current Senior Vice Chairman, Tarique Rahman, was subjected to such extreme torture that he had to leave the country with a broken back. On February 8, 2018, Khaleda Zia was sentenced to prison in the Zia Orphanage Trust case and remains incarcerated to this day. Tarique Rahman, who is admired by the younger generation, is also abroad. Despite intense repression by the caretaker government and subsequent disappearances, murders, and false cases under the current government, the party has remained intact. Despite numerous failures by the central leadership, grassroots leaders have remained strong and united.

The Need for Reorganization and New Leadership

On January 7, a sham election deeply disappointed the nation with the central BNP leadership`s failures. Consequently, Tarique Rahman and senior BNP leaders in London felt the urgent need for reorganization and new leadership within the party.

Dissolution of Committees: In light of this, BNP has started reorganization to strengthen the party and launch a new wave of movements. Analyzing the successes and failures of the January 7 election, decisions were made to dissolve the convening committees of Dhaka North and South City units, as well as Chittagong and Barisal City units. Additionally, the central committee of Jubo Dal under the leadership of Sultan Salahuddin Tuku and Abdul Monayem Munna was dissolved.

Announcement of a 260-Member Student Wing Committee: Before and after the elections, the top leaders of the party decided to make significant changes within the party. This decision was based on their evaluation of the leaders` roles, the impact of inter-group lobbying, and the leaders` avoidance of movement due to incompetence. The goal was to reorganize the party and create relatively young leadership. Consequently, a new 260-member committee of the student wing was announced, with Rakibul Islam Rakib as the president and Nasir Uddin Nasir as the general secretary. Nasir Uddin Nasir, the general secretary, has already established his acceptance among the young student community as a media personality and a decent leader as well.

Measures Taken by Tarique Rahman: Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has been regularly conducting important meetings via Zoom to initiate the reorganization process post-election. He believes that to intensify the movement, competent leadership must be brought into the city units. Hence, committees of Jubo Dal, Dhaka North and South City, Chittagong, and Barisal City units have been dissolved.

New Appointments in BNP

New Joint Secretaries: The appointment of dedicated and hardworking individuals as new Joint General Secretaries has indeed inspired the party members. Advocate Abdus Salam Azad, the Organizing Secretary of Dhaka Division BNP, has been appointed as Joint General Secretary. Syed Emran Saleh Prince, the Organizing Secretary of Mymensingh Division BNP, has also been appointed as Joint General Secretary. Additionally, the appointment of former Chhatra Dal President and former BNP Publicity Secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny as Joint General Secretary has been seen as a hopeful sign among the party`s young leadership. Furthermore, the appointment of former Jubo Dal President Sultan Salahuddin Tuku as BNP`s Publicity Secretary has generated optimism, reflecting the party`s appreciation for fresh blood.

Furthermore, Barrister Mir Helal, the Assistant Organizing Secretary of Chittagong Division, and a few days ago, former student leader and meritorious student of Dhaka University Rafiq-ul-Islam Bakul as BNP`s Student Affairs Secretary, have invigorated and sharpened the young leadership within the party.

Goyeshwar Chandra Roy`s Statement: In a discussion about the new committee, BNP Standing Committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, known for his bold statements, remarked that the inclusion of new members was necessary. This was due to various reasons: some members had passed away, some had resigned, and others were either weak in leadership or inactive. As a result, there are 60-70 vacant positions within the party. Filling these vacancies democratically falls within the powers and rights of the Acting Chairman, and there should be no misunderstanding or misinterpretation regarding this. Additionally, the RPO mandates a 30% quota for women, which will be gradually fulfilled. The new committee includes dedicated and competent leaders. Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, the head of the party, has carefully researched, discussed, and reviewed the entire party to bring in capable members to the committee. Roy acknowledged that Allah did not create everyone the same, so minor mistakes are natural for humans. Regarding the council, he stated that the new council will be held in due time, and currently, the focus is on filling the vacancies with suitable individuals. He also mentioned that new faces will be included in committees whose terms have not expired, but those who failed to perform their duties during the movement will be removed. The Acting Chairman has already prepared a list of such failing leaders.

Expectations from Tarique Rahman: Given the ongoing pressure, arrests, and numerous cases against top and mid-level BNP leaders, the grassroots and conscious citizens expect the following from the Acting Chairman:

1. Appoint qualified individuals based on ground realities.
2. Assign roles to dedicated workers who have faced persecution.
3. Identify and expel incompetent and fake leaders.
4. Eliminate nepotism within the party.
5. Revitalize the party with significant changes.
6. Foster an environment of humanity and democracy throughout the party.

Recommendations for BNP to Face 21st Century Challenges

1. Reorganize Organizational Structure:- The changes introduced can bring new enthusiasm but must be handled carefully to avoid negative reactions.
2. Engage Youth and Students:- The new committee for Chhatra Dal aims to involve more youth in politics, crucial for future leadership.
3. Develop Capable Leadership:- Strengthen the top leadership with clear plans and swift decision-making, including restructuring the standing committee.
4. Increase Public Engagement:- To maintain popularity and attract new supporters, the party must engage more with the public and address their issues effectively.
5. Utilize Technology:- Modern technology should be used for party operations, campaigns, and public engagement. Proper use of social media is essential.
6. Resolve Internal Conflicts:- Internal conflicts and groupings must be resolved to move forward unitedly. Foster a spirit of brotherhood and cooperation among members.

Conclusion: The BNP must remember it is a popular party of the people. By implementing proper leadership and plans, they can move forward effectively. Adhering to the principles and ideals of the late President Ziaur Rahman and the decisions of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, they can meet public expectations. The party`s internal strength and capability must be leveraged to overcome current challenges and lead to a prosperous future for Bangladesh.

Author: Md Shah Alam, University Teacher at CU and PhD, Researcher, IIUM Malaysia. He can be reached at shah1alamdu@yahoo.com