by Nawaz Farhin Antara in Dhaka Tribune, Aug 19, 2023
Leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) who have been unable to effectively mobilise support for its one-point movement are being excluded from the party’s reconstituted committees, according to BNP sources.
The BNP will complete reorganizing the central committees of some of its organs and affiliated organizations, including its Dhaka Metropolitan unit, within this month. The central committees of Chhatra Dal and the two Dhaka Metropolitan units of Jubo Dal have already been reorganized.
The BNP high command has directed to give important responsibilities to “movement-oriented” leaders during the reorganization with a view to realizing the demand of the one-point movement as quickly as possible.
Major changes have already been made in two affiliated organs of the BNP due to the inability to make the sit-in program a success, BNP leaders said.
Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said: “The only way to get rid of this fascist government is to protest on the streets. Strong leadership is needed for that, and the party is giving importance to movement-oriented leadership.”
The push for reorganization reportedly gained momentum after the party displayed a lack of coordination during its sit-in program at Dhaka’s entry points on July 29. Several senior BNP leaders told Dhaka Tribune that BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman expressed anger over the “absence of coordination” between BNP leaders in a virtual meeting after the sit-in program.
When asked about the reorganization and the anger of the acting party chairperson, BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said: “Our acting chairman has all the documents. Organizational measures will be taken against all (ineffective leaders) in stages.”
BNP sources said the party had divided up responsibilities for the July 29 program and senior leaders of Dhaka had been relied on to make it success. However, several of these leaders did not actively participate in the program, and they are losing their positions as punishment.
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) Senior Vice President Rashed Iqbal Khan was recently made acting president of the JCD Central Committee, reportedly because JCD President Kazi Rawnakul Islam Srabon is ill. However, party insiders claim Srabon was removed from the post as his supporters did not effectively participate in the sit-ins on July 29.
A member of the JCD committee said: “We did not make any mistakes in participating in the movement with a strong stand under the leadership of Srabon, but we had our limitations. We were hit with roadblocks in various ways, and, as a result, we were in a somewhat awkward situation. This is true. But that was not an intentional situation. Our morale would not have been broken if the high command had considered the circumstances, without excluding us from the committee.”
He added that leaders who have lost their posts cannot express discontent publicly, as they may be expelled from the party.
When contacted, Srabon declined to comment.
Activists who have been strong in the field movement feel that those who are serving as joint conveners of the Dhaka north unit are eligible for top posts, but not as conveners.
BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said: “No one took responsibility and communicated with others due to various practical reasons. After the arrest of Aman Ullah Aman from Gabtoli, no one else could take the lead and coordinate with the rest, which led to the failure.”
Apart from the removal of the Chhatra Dal president, new committees have also been announced in two parts of Mahanagar Juba Dal. Besides, changes have started in the Dhaka metropolitan BNP, sources said.
The central and two wings of the Swechasebak Dal in Dhaka city will be reorganized on an urgent basis, with several leaders saying that the reorganization will be completed before the end of August.
Sources said that the BNP is considering central Joint Secretary General and former convener of Dhaka South BNP Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel, current Joint Convener Habibur Rashid Habib, and Hamidur Rahman Hamid as alternatives to Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP Convener Abdus Salam.
The party is also thinking of giving Tanveer Ahmed Robin, acting member secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP, full responsibility. It is a possibility that Abdus Salam will be kept as convener while Tanveer Ahmed Robin will be appointed member secretary and Habibur Rashid Habib will be made senior joint convener.
Furthermore, the BNP believes that it is possible that Dhaka Metropolitan North Convener Aman Ullah Aman will be imprisoned. As a result, the party may make Aminul Haque the member secretary so that he can serve as convener, if necessary.
BNP Joint Secretary General Moazzem Hossain Alal said: “In a very short time, BNP will enter the field with the final program for the one-point demand for the fall of the government. There are strict measures in place to prevent negligence from affecting the movement. This decision was directly given by Tarique Rahman.”
Any grassroots leaders who do not participate in the movement will also face organizational action, sources said.
Reshuffle of committees outside Dhaka
The reorganization of various district committees outside Dhaka is also ongoing. The convening committee of Chittagong South District Branch Chhatra Dal has been announced, and acting president Rashed Iqbal Khan and General Secretary Saif Mahmud Jewel approved the committee of 42 members on August 11.
Meanwhile, Brahmanbaria district BNP’s five-member partial convening committee was announced on August 10.
Many BNP activists and supporters are reportedly dissatisfied with the committees and in fear of losing their positions in the party. Shamsuddin Khan, a member of the BNP in Netrokona district, lost his party post after commenting on a video speech of the party’s acting chairman on August 13.
Shamsuddin said: “I have been expelled from the party for commenting on a video speech. After making the comments, I was given a show cause notice by the party and asked to apologize, but I didn’t apologize.”
A member of the BNP Standing Committee said the reorganization is an ongoing process.
“Not everyone stays in one place forever. The committee may be cancelled, anyone may drop out. There is nothing to be disappointed about,” they said. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/322881/why-is-bnp-shuffling-roles-of-senior-leaders
