Tension and uncertainty gripped the leaders and activists of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party as the recent changes in different tiers of the party were brought about without any discussion in the party鈥檚 policymaking forums.
The party policymakers, however, said that the changes were initiated to reorganise the party before launching a fresh movement against the government.
Several BNP leaders said that the party鈥檚 high command, specifically acting chairman Tarique Rahman, took a firm stance in organising the party that would involve all party members and leaders of associate bodies engaged in past movements.聽
As part of this organisational action, on June 14, the four city units of BNP and its student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, along with the central committee of Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal, were dissolved.
On June 15, major changes were made to the party鈥檚 national executive committee and advisory council, appointing 45 leaders to various positions.
Simultaneously, in an effort to address diplomatic failures, the international relations committee was replaced with two new committees.
This restructuring, avoiding the council, marks a significant step towards the major overhaul of the BNP, party insiders said, adding that following the January 7 general election, where extensive restructuring was proposed, efforts have now begun to implement these changes.
Many view this overhaul as a response to the party鈥檚 previous failures in agitation.
Asked about these changes, BNP standing committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy told 抖阴精品 that committee formation and restructuring were ongoing processes.
鈥極rganisational needs sometimes call for filling minor vacancies and making slight adjustments. This is what has been done now,鈥� he said, adding that organisational strengthening will benefit the party, making it more cohesive and dynamic in the future.
He said that everyone in the organisation has a responsibility. If someone fails to fulfil their duties properly, there should be better replacements.
BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, 鈥楽everal vacancies in the party鈥檚 executive committee have been filled, and some positions have been synchronised. These appointments have been made following directives from the party鈥檚 high command.鈥�
BNP insiders said that similar changes are expected at other important organisational levels of the party, including the standing committee, the highest policymaking forum of the party.
However, many leaders are disappointed by the sudden disbandment of committees.
They said that when BNP leaders and activists were preparing for Eid-ul-Azha celebrations, changes were made in BNP鈥檚 youth and student wings as part of this restructuring.
They said that Tarique Rahman played a 鈥榩ivotal role鈥� in these changes.
Although discussions about this matter had been ongoing for some time, policymakers were unaware of this, they said, adding that many were upset.
Zahir Uddin Swapan, a newly appointed member of the BNP chairperson鈥檚 advisory council, told 抖阴精品 that the BNP was preparing for its movement with the aim of garnering public support, uniting opposition political parties, and gaining moral support from the democratic world.
鈥業n pursuit of these goals, the party acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, started reorganising the party,鈥� he said.
The leaders of the party view this overhaul as an indication of preparations for the upcoming central council convention.
They believe that following further changes in the central executive committee, the party鈥檚 top leadership might aim at organising the convention.
The party has an obligation to form its central committee through convention to maintain its registration with the Election Commission.
The last national convention of the BNP took place eight years ago, in March 2016, although the party鈥檚 constitution mandates conventions every three years.
Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, who was made the party鈥檚 joint secretary general from the post of publicity secretary, told 抖阴精品 that further reorganisation would happen and that this reorganisation was temporary.
鈥楶erhaps there will be a council session afterwards,鈥� he said.
In the sixth council of the BNP held on March 19, 2016, a national executive committee of 502 members was formed.
Additionally, an advisory council for the chairperson was also established, comprising the latest number of 81 members.
Later, the announcement was made for a total of 592 members of the national permanent committee, executive committee, and advisory council combined.
Many of these members have since passed away.
Over time, additional leaders have been appointed to the advisory and executive committees.