Street campaign or election: BNP in a fix
Main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are yet to decide on how to better contest the next general elections or wage a movement for creating conducive atmosphere for fair ballot, said party insiders.
The rank and file of the party as well as its senior leaders are in a fix about determining their political course largely because of the absence of the two key leaders of the party—BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, now in jail, and senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman, staying in London, said party insiders.
Influential segments of the party grassroots commonly believe there is no alternative to launching tough agitation to force the authorities to free Khaleda.
And, they insist, the party should in no way join the general elections without having the former prime minister by their side as a free person.
Such recommendations came from some of the grassroots leaders the BNP policymakers had meeting with in recent times. Some critical observations and suggestions were also made in such meetings.
Some sources in the party say the grassroots leaders signalled a note of caution about the leaders who prefer social media-based movement and suddenly go abroad at critical moments.
They strongly recommended that a national unity should be forged by uniting left-leaning and rightist parties to compel the government to hold a free, unbiased and fair election.
However, the BNP high command will be trying to know further the grassroots’ views and suggestions in the coming days.
The BNP standing committee had arranged a meeting at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan last week, with the district-level leaders where the latter shared their views and proposals.
Party insiders made a broad hint that the BNP policymakers might convene an extended meeting of 501-member central executive committee after Eid-ul-Azha, seeking their feedbacks and suggestions.
The ultimate course of action for the principal opposition before the next parliamentary polls would be finalised once all the leaders including the grassroots’, come up with their views and recommendations.
The next 11th parliamentary polls is scheduled to be held by the third week of January 2019 under Sheikh Hasina-led government, but the ruling Awami League president, Sheikh Hasina, said the next polls would be held in December next.
The grassroots leaders in general are in favour of taking up quick action programmes to free Khaleda and contest an election where the party can see its popularity reflected properly.
“We made a summary of the views and proposals forwarded by the district-level leaders in the meeting. We will discuss about it in the standing committee’s meeting within a few days,” BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan told Prothom Alo.
Asked about grassroots recommendations for waging a movement for Khaleda Zia’s release, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “We’ve had important discussions with the district-level leaders about overall political situation. We’re trying to arrange a meeting of the executive committee after Eid.”
The Eid-ul Azha might be celebrated on 22 August.
Party insiders said the current BNP leadership in Dhaka wants to take any decision following proper consultation with leaders of different levels since the party chief is in jail and the second topmost leader, Tarique Rahman, is in exile.
Political scientist Emajuddin Ahamed said, “The BNP’s standing committee will decide on whether the party will participate in the elections or go ahead with a movement. It seems that the committee will come to a decision after discussing the views and proposals coming from grassroots leaders with Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman. We will see them in October.”
