After seven years, the BNP will hold its extended meeting in the capital today (February 27) to discuss various crucial issues, including the upcoming parliamentary election, its new political strategies and the latest political and social situations in the country.
With a focus on the next general election, which the party considers crucial for the country’s democracy, BNP leaders and activists from across the country will attend the meeting at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad. Tarique Rahman will join the meeting virtually from London.
The meeting will be attended by members of the party’s National Standing Committee, Chairperson’s Advisory Council, Central Executive Committee and presidents, general secretaries, or conveners and member secretaries of all metropolitan, district, upazila and municipal unit committees. Additionally, leaders who received final nominations or preliminary nomination letters for the 2018 general elections are expected to be present.
The presidents and general secretaries of 11 front and associate organisations of the BNP will also join the meeting, the party leaders said.
The BNP expects around 4,000 party leaders and activists to attend its extended meeting. The meeting will continue until night, with breakfast, lunch and evening snacks provided for attendees.
The BNP has formed a 27-member implementation committee, led by its Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Six subcommittees—covering management, reception, hospitality, discipline, media, and medical services—have also been set up.
BNP’s last extended meeting was held on February 4, 2018 at the Le Meridien Hotel in Dhaka. The meeting was presided over by the party Chairperson Khaleda Zia just four days before she was imprisoned on February 8 in the Zia orphanage trust graft case.
Talking to the Daily Sun, several BNP leaders said Tarique Rahman will emphasise unity, attitude towards people, resolving internal conflict and working for the people in the meeting.
The BNP acting chairman will also issue warnings against the unruly people and wrongdoers.
BNP insiders said the party's high command would hear the statements of the central and grassroots leaders about the current political situation and their possible course of action.
After hearing the statements, the party’s high-ups will deliver a series of messages including preparations for the national elections. In addition, the high command will provide necessary guidance on remaining united and maintaining party discipline.
“Organisational and political issues will be discussed in the meeting. In the perspective of any proposal or discussion, many things can be discussed,” BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu told the Daily Sun.
He further said Tarique Rahman may give special instructions to the party men at the end of the meeting.
BNP Joint Secretary General Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie said, “Due to the misrule of fascism, we could not do organisational activities properly for the last 15-16 years. After August 5, we started those activities at the grassroots. That is why the extended meeting is very important for us.”
He said Tarique Rahman will deliver an important speech message to the party leaders and activists in the meeting which will create unity among leaders and activists.
“Our party acting chairman’s speech will carry an important message not only for the party leaders and activists but for the country and its people as well. It is important for Bangladesh at this moment,” Annie added.
The BNP leader further alleged that the fallen fascist Awami League is hatching a conspiracy to spend the looted money and the BNP wants to go ahead overcoming all conspiracies.
The party sources said the extended meeting will discuss the next parliamentary election, preparation for the polls and the party’s pending national council sessions.
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
