Frustration grows in BNP grassroots

The BNP, out of power for the longest period since its inception four decades ago, is now in a quandary over whether to run in the next election after a movement or without one. 

Some top leaders, like the grassroots, believe there is no alternative to launching a fierce movement to force the government to hold a free and fair election.

For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel.

Some others, however, think that might not be plausible given the waning strength of the organisation. The party should rather focus on talks with the government and other stakeholders on how to ensure a level-playing field for all parties for the polls.

Meanwhile, the grassroots are frustrated because they have no clue about what the party is thinking even though the election is only around two years away — in 2023.

“A free and fair election is not possible under this government and it is now clear to the world. So, in my view, there is no way but to launch a movement,” Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, BNP organising secretary, told The Daily Star yesterday.

Wishing anonymity, a senior leader said the party is moving forward with the election in mind, not a movement. It’s not lost on the high-ups that the organisation still lacks the strength to pull off a movement.

The BNP boycotted the January 5, 2014, election, demanding polls under a non-partisan interim government. It waged a countrywide movement but could not force the government to concede its demand; rather it was criticised for destructive politics.

Then in 2018, it formed a greater alliance with Jatiya Oikyafront and participated in 11th parliamentary election. But it managed only nine seats including one reserved seat for women. The party boycotted the election results alleging massive rigging but eventually joined parliament.

Fast forward three years, the BNP is still in a shambles.

A district leader wishing not to be named said the party should hold a council immediately to draw up a long-term vision and a roadmap regarding the months leading up to the polls. This would give party activists some kind of hope.

“The central leadership is out of touch with the grassroots. The gap should be bridged immediately and top leadership should issue specific directives. Grassroots leaders are frustrated, they need hope … ,” he added.

Central leaders claim that with an eye on the next election, the party has started stepping up its organisational activities including forming committees for associated and front organisations. It has already formed convening committees for Dhaka North and South city units.

Although the party has been making this claim since 2009, the revamp process is yet to be completed.

BNP insiders said personal rivalries and intra-party feuds are the main barriers to completing the process. They said although the success of any movement depends largely on how it goes in Dhaka, the party is not in a good shape here in terms of organisational strength.

BNP’s Publicity Affairs Secretary Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie said that since outdoor programmes are suspended for around two years on account of the pandemic, they are focusing on reorganising the party.

“Our initial target is to revamp the party and complete it by this year. We have to force the government to hold the election under a non-partisan interim government and for this we need strength. We are now gaining strength,” he added.

Annie, also a former student leader, said the revamping process was hampered because of the government’s repression on the BNP men.

Party leaders said their biggest achievement is the party has been able to keep its leaders and activists united even in these most trying times.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, party’s secretary general, said, “The government is bent on splitting the BNP, but all its attempts fell flat. Our unity is our strength. The BNP is not solely responsible for restoring democracy in the country, rather people from other strata also need to come forward.”

He added that “since the incumbent government is autocratic”, it is tough for any political party even to wage a democratic and systematic movement.

“Despite that, we are trying. We will continue to fight for democracy,” he said.

Al Masud Hasanuzzaman, professor of government and politics at Jahangirnagar University, said if the party can plug its loopholes, then it could get a positive result in the next electoral politics.

Nurul Amin Bepari, former chairman of Dhaka University’s political science department, said the BNP must introduce more people-oriented programmes so that people can feel ownership. This ownership will help the BNP pile up pressure on the government to hold a free and fair election, he added. 

The BNP, out of power for the longest period since its inception four decades ago, is now in a quandary over whether to run in the next election after a movement or without one.

Some top leaders, like the grassroots, believe there is no alternative to launching a fierce movement to force the government to hold a free and fair election.

Some others, however, think that might not be plausible given the waning strength of the organisation. The party should rather focus on talks with the government and other stakeholders on how to ensure a level-playing field for all parties for the polls.

Meanwhile, the grassroots are frustrated because they have no clue about what the party is thinking even though the election is only around two years away — in 2023.

“A free and fair election is not possible under this government and it is now clear to the world. So, in my view, there is no way but to launch a movement,” Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, BNP organising secretary, told The Daily Star yesterday.

Wishing anonymity, a senior leader said the party is moving forward with the election in mind, not a movement. It’s not lost on the high-ups that the organisation still lacks the strength to pull off a movement.

The BNP boycotted the January 5, 2014, election, demanding polls under a non-partisan interim government. It waged a countrywide movement but could not force the government to concede its demand; rather it was criticised for destructive politics.

Then in 2018, it formed a greater alliance with Jatiya Oikyafront and participated in 11th parliamentary election. But it managed only nine seats including one reserved seat for women. The party boycotted the election results alleging massive rigging but eventually joined parliament.

Fast forward three years, the BNP is still in a shambles.

A district leader wishing not to be named said the party should hold a council immediately to draw up a long-term vision and a roadmap regarding the months leading up to the polls. This would give party activists some kind of hope.

“The central leadership is out of touch with the grassroots. The gap should be bridged immediately and top leadership should issue specific directives. Grassroots leaders are frustrated, they need hope … ,” he added.

Central leaders claim that with an eye on the next election, the party has started stepping up its organisational activities including forming committees for associated and front organisations. It has already formed convening committees for Dhaka North and South city units.

Although the party has been making this claim since 2009, the revamp process is yet to be completed.

BNP insiders said personal rivalries and intra-party feuds are the main barriers to completing the process. They said although the success of any movement depends largely on how it goes in Dhaka, the party is not in a good shape here in terms of organisational strength.

BNP’s Publicity Affairs Secretary Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie said that since outdoor programmes are suspended for around two years on account of the pandemic, they are focusing on reorganising the party.

“Our initial target is to revamp the party and complete it by this year. We have to force the government to hold the election under a non-partisan interim government and for this we need strength. We are now gaining strength,” he added.

Annie, also a former student leader, said the revamping process was hampered because of the government’s repression on the BNP men.

Party leaders said their biggest achievement is the party has been able to keep its leaders and activists united even in these most trying times.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, party’s secretary general, said, “The government is bent on splitting the BNP, but all its attempts fell flat. Our unity is our strength. The BNP is not solely responsible for restoring democracy in the country, rather people from other strata also need to come forward.”

He added that “since the incumbent government is autocratic”, it is tough for any political party even to wage a democratic and systematic movement.

“Despite that, we are trying. We will continue to fight for democracy,” he said.

Al Masud Hasanuzzaman, professor of government and politics at Jahangirnagar University, said if the party can plug its loopholes, then it could get a positive result in the next electoral politics.

Nurul Amin Bepari, former chairman of Dhaka University’s political science department, said the BNP must introduce more people-oriented programmes so that people can feel ownership. This ownership will help the BNP pile up pressure on the government to hold a free and fair election, he added.

Frustration grows in BNP grassroots
Source: Trend Viral Philippines