BNP is passing through a crisis period and it needs a strong standing committee leadership and international liaison before the election to get out of this abyss, say insiders.
Several senior BNP leaders said the standing committee must lead from the front for the party’s revival.
They are of the view that everybody has to abide by standing committee decision and due to the absence of the chairperson, party’s secretary general has to take more responsibilities.
Political Analyst Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury told the Bangla Tribune, “It is unfortunate that BNP’s standing committee can deliver only speeches.”
Khaleda Zia is in jail and Tarique Rahman lives abroad and due to that few leaders are active except the general secretary, he said.
A source at the chairperson’s office claimed that considering vote banks, the party is confident of winning 151 seats. Decision has to be taken over probable coalition and nomination of the rest 149 seats.
BNP Vice-chairman Abdullah Al Noman stressed that the top leaders including standing committee members must address problems directly.
“There is no alternative to form full-fledged committee for all the wings of the party,” he said.
Meanwhile, leaders and activists think that the immediate reaction after Khaleda Zia’s arrest was not sufficient. They pointed fingers at the central leaders for the failure.
Ful Miya, a UP chairman from Sunamganj and a grassroot BNP leader, said, “We hope from the standing committee that it takes proper decision to free Khaleda Zia from jail.”
He said the BNP chief must be released at least two months before the election; otherwise, nothing will happen.
“Nothing will happen without streets movement. If the top leaders take to the streets, the grassroots will surely follow,” he added.
Joint Secretary of Chhatra Dal Dhaka (North) city unit Ashraful Islam Rabin alleged that the party’s senior leaders had not taken part in the movements against the ‘autocratic’ government; although they made tall talks first.
Stressing on maintaining effective international liaison, Dhaka (South) city Joint General Secretary Harunur Rashid told the Bangla Tribune: “We have to prepare for the election and have to maintain close contact with the international community.”
Several leaders opined for taking more responsibility by the secretary general.
They said Fakhrul Islam has to take initiative so that party cadres become more accountable.
In reply to a query over BNP’s preparations, BNP standing committee member Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar claimed that the whole party is active to free Khaleda from jail.
Observing that the party spokesperson would tell about the preparations, he said, “We are working over the next election. Although it sounds hypothetical, it is possible to face the ruling party’s challenge.”