No new committee forming, focus on polls candidates: Tarique

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BNP has decided to halt the formation of new committees of its different units and associate bodies, except in the areas where no committee exists, ahead of the national election, as the party shifts its full attention to finalising candidates and settling intra-party disputes.

In recent Skype meetings with divisional organising secretaries and BNP Vice-Chairmen in charge of different divisions, the party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman gave this instruction, a number of senior BNP leaders told UNB on Thursday.

“Our acting chairman made it clear that no new committees should be formed at this stage. Instead, he directed us to concentrate on preparing candidates and ensuring the party is united for the polls,” said a BNP Vice-Chairman, wishing anonymity.

Referring to the recent results of the DUCSU and JUCSU elections, he said Tarique now believes the party should fully focus on the national election and strengthen public engagement across the country to maintain its popularity.

 “Tarique Rahman told us clearly that the priority now is announcing candidates and addressing internal problems. Forming committees in different areas may only fuel more infighting, and that will weaken us before the election,” the BNP leader said.

He explained that organisational conflict has already caused difficulties for the party in recent months. “We saw what happened during the student union elections. Internal divisions harmed our performance. That is why the leadership now feels there is no scope to waste time on organisational matters. The election is approaching fast, and our full focus must be on fielding the right candidates and winning people’s support.”

The BNP leader believes this approach will help reduce internal tensions and prevent new conflicts ahead of the polls. “By declaring candidates early and ensuring unity, the party hopes to enter the election field with better preparation and stronger grassroots mobilisation.”

A BNP organising secretary, who attended such a meeting, said Tarique asked them to ensure that, in every constituency, party leaders and workers stand together to secure the victory of whoever gets the nomination.

He said the Acting Chairman is personally monitoring the candidate selection process. “He has been gathering information from across the country, reviewing reports, surveys and local feedback about possible contenders.”

Based on these, the BNP leader said the party is expected to announce the names of around 200 candidates within the next two to three weeks.

He also said efforts are underway to resolve rivalries at the grassroots level and unite leaders and workers for a strong, collective campaign to bring the party to power.

“Tarique Rahman himself is talking to local leaders. Wherever there are disputes, he is asking everyone to sit together and build unity. His message is simple – whoever the party nominates must get full support from all. This is not the time for division,” the BNP organising secretary said.

He added that organising secretaries have already begun meeting possible candidates in different constituencies, conveying Tarique’s message that whoever receives the nomination must work for the party’s chosen candidate.

He said Tarique also told them that committees may be formed later, but only if absolutely necessary, and only after the candidates are declared. “Once nominations are announced, if in any area a committee is required to strengthen the campaign, it will be formed. But right now, all committee activities are on hold.”

The BNP leader said Tarique further instructed them to reach people directly through extensive door-to-door campaigns, aiming to build trust, counter propaganda and create a strong presence in the election field.

“BNP leadership has realised, especially after the Ducsu elections, that certain mistakes were made. Our campaign is meant to acknowledge those shortcomings before the people and rebuild confidence,” he said.

The BNP organising secretary added that the door-to-door campaign will also counter ‘negative propaganda’ spread on social media regarding the BNP’s stance on the Liberation War, India and other sensitive issues.

Contacted, BNP Vice-Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo said Tarique Rahman held a virtual meeting with him and the leaders of Barishal division on Wednesday, where he instructed them not to form new committees, except in areas where no district or thana committee exists.

He said the BNP Acting Chairman also held a similar meeting with leaders of Rajshahi division and gave the same directive. “At this stage, if we form new committees, it may create division in the party, as those who do not get posts may feel upset. So, we have decided not to go for new committees, except where none currently exist.”

Mintoo said Tarique also directed the party’s organising secretaries to work in their respective divisions to resolve rivalries and unite leaders and workers behind the candidates to be nominated by the party. “They are working on this, and we hope we will not face intra-party problems during the election.”

BNP’s Chattogram divisional organising secretary Mahbubur Rahman Shamim said Tarique gave them various instructions to keep the party united ahead of the election.

He, however, declined to share details of the meeting with the Acting Chairman.

Shamim said he had a meeting with possible party candidates of the Noakhali-5 constituency and instructed them to work in unity and remove any kind of division within the party’s local units. - UNB