Although the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the country’s largest political party, has called on the interim government to ensure timely elections, its main focus remains on the upcoming national parliamentary election in no time. The party’s leadership aims to establish an elected government through a systematic vote, once necessary reforms are in place. According to BNP leaders, the interim government’s role is to restore political power to the people, while the elected government’s responsibility is to serve the public.
BNP's core goal is to ensure that the people’s right to vote is fully realized, regardless of the specific party that wins in a fair and impartial election. To this end, the party has launched various public-interest programs across the country, with a clear directive to party leaders and workers to connect with and win the support of ordinary citizens. These efforts include a range of positive organizational initiatives, as well as the circulation of a 31-point reform agenda outlining the party’s future commitments.
As part of its preparations for the election, BNP's potential candidates have become active in constituencies nationwide. In each area, an average of three to four nominated leaders are working on initiatives to improve public welfare. These efforts are part of BNP’s broader strategy to strengthen its grassroots presence and ensure its readiness for the electoral contest. This information was shared by BNP policymakers in recent discussions.
Sources indicate that the acting chairman of the party Tarique Rahman has instructed leaders and workers across the country to prioritize and implement public welfare programs. At the same time, he has adopted a firm stance on maintaining party discipline. As a result, nearly a thousand party leaders at various levels have been expelled for violations of party rules. Additionally, more than a thousand others have been issued "show cause" notices for their actions.
In line with directives from the central leadership, party leaders are ramping up organizational activities by engaging in public outreach efforts and participating in social and religious events across the country. They are also working to reorganize each party unit in their respective areas. The primary goal of these efforts is to strengthen the party's position and solidify support ahead of the upcoming election.
Additionally, the central leadership has reached out to senior leaders of allied and like-minded political parties involved in the anti-dictatorship movement against the Sheikh Hasina government over the past fifteen years. Through official letters, BNP leaders in remote areas have been urged to seek assistance from these parties' local leaders to further bolster the party’s efforts at the grassroots level.
Regarding the upcoming elections, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has made it clear that, following the necessary reforms, the interim government must ensure the organization of free, fair, and impartial national elections. He emphasized that these elections must guarantee the voting rights of the people and ensure their proper exercise. Without this, he stated, neither the people's ownership of the government nor the establishment of true democracy would be possible.
Tarique Rahman further stressed that the interim government, which enjoys public support, must not be allowed to fail in its duty. It is crucial that the government is given the necessary time to facilitate the establishment of democracy and to uphold the people's right to hold free and fair elections. However, he also cautioned that the allies of the fallen dictatorship continue to engage in various conspiracies, and urged everyone to remain vigilant and cautious in this regard.
Additionally, if the BNP wins the election, its acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, has announced plans to form a national government with allied parties and establish a bicameral parliament. This goal is now central to the BNP's preparations and activities nationwide ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. Through these public-focused initiatives, the BNP's final candidates for the next election will emerge.
According to policymakers, the BNP's election preparations will be primarily led by candidates who participated in the 2018 elections, with a focus on younger, dedicated leaders from the BNP’s affiliate, Chhatra Dal. Additionally, several former MPs active in the movement have already been given the green light for consideration in the upcoming election.
National Standing Committee member Khandkar Mosharraf Hossain stated that as a democratic, election-oriented party, they are always prepared for elections, with party leaders actively working toward this goal. "Our election preparations have been ongoing, and they remain steadfast," he said. He added that the BNP’s readiness has been solidified through many sacrifices over the past 15 years.
BNP's organizational preparations
Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has stated since last year that, if the BNP wins the election through popular vote, it plans to govern by forming a national government. This government will include parties that stood with the BNP in its movement efforts. Consequently, this approach is integral to BNP’s election strategy, with plans to consider leaders from these allied parties for candidacies in certain constituencies.
Since the 2014 election, party leaders have faced challenges staying active in the area due to lawsuits, attacks, or other disruptions. To address this, BNP’s leadership recently initiated a reorganization of committees nationwide after the political situation shifted in their favor on August 5. Many district and metropolitan committees have since been dissolved and reformed, with nearly every unit within the party undergoing an overhaul to strengthen organizational activities and prepare for the upcoming election.
BNP’s three affiliated groups—Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, and Swechhasebak Dal—have been conducting joint workshops in every district to communicate Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s directives for the future elections. Senior leaders from these organizations are coordinating the workshops by visiting district levels, ensuring that young leaders and grassroots workers receive clear guidance on their roles. Tarique Rahman also launched a three-month public awareness campaign through the Central Jatiotabadi Krishak Dal to mobilize support across the country recently.
Additionally, BNP central leaders, including former ministers, MPs, candidates from the 2018 elections, and new aspirants, have begun extensive outreach in their respective areas.
Kishoreganj district BNP's Senior Joint General Secretary Khaled Saifullah (VP Sohail) stated, "Following the Acting Chairman's directives, we have launched a comprehensive public welfare program in Kishoreganj-1 (Hosenpur and Sadar Upazila). Inshallah, our election preparations will be solidified through these community-focused efforts."
Manikganj District BNP General Secretary SA Jinnah Kabir stated that, alongside raising public awareness, we have launched initiatives focused on public welfare. Guided by Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, we are actively organizing in our respective areas. Inshallah, we hope to strengthen the party and one day succeed in building a better nation.
BNP Central Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince stated that the party leadership is prioritizing those who have long been active on the streets, maintaining strong connections with leaders and workers. Now, leaders and workers have been instructed to support grassroots workers, understand their challenges, and build close connections with the public. The party is closely assessing who has been dedicated, considering factors such as commitment to the election effort, contributions over the past fifteen years, popularity, and organizational skills.
The BNP did not participate in the 12th National Assembly elections held on January 7 of this year, under the rule of ousted dictator Sheikh Hasina. Previously, BNP participated in the 2018 elections by joining Jatiya Oikya Front, an alliance led by controversial Gono Forum leader Kamal Hossain. Additionally, the BNP had boycotted the 2014 elections.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
