The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is actively seeking a new secretary general to replace the current officeholder, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, amid internal challenges and leadership concerns. The high command, including Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Chairperson Khaleda Zia, are evaluating potential candidates for the crucial role.
Sources within the BNP revealed that Rahman is in discussions with several leaders, both within the country and abroad. Khaleda Zia has also met with multiple party members, though specifics remain undisclosed. This search comes at a time of significant internal uncertainty for the BNP. Despite the passage of eight years, the party has yet to organize a National Council. Over the last five years, more than 700 leaders have been expelled, many of whom are now seeking reinstatement through appeals to the acting chairman.
Adding to the party's woes, 27 senior leaders are residing abroad, facing sentences in various cases and fearing arrest upon their return. This includes prominent figures like Tarique Rahman and his wife, Dr. Zobaida Rahman, along with other key members of the standing committee. The ongoing reshuffle in the central committee has yet to result in the formation of 30 organizational district committees across the nation.
Since his release from prison in February, following the 12th National Assembly elections, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been rumored to be considering stepping down due to health issues. This has spurred speculation about who might succeed him. Names circulating include standing committee members Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Salahuddin Ahmed. Khan has been particularly active, engaging in diplomatic and organizational activities since the Nayapaltan clashes on October 28 last year.
Moyeen Khan has also been visiting jailed leaders' families and conveying messages from the party's top leadership. Another potential candidate, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, who heads the party's international affairs committee, recently went to the United States for treatment. Meanwhile, Salahuddin Ahmed remains in New Delhi, unable to return to Bangladesh due to legal issues.
Despite the rumors and speculation, BNP leaders are reluctant to speak publicly on the matter. Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury dismissed the rumors as baseless, emphasizing that there has been no internal discussion about a change in the secretary general position.
Similarly, Mostafizur Rahman Babul, co-editor of the BNP National Executive Committee, defended Alamgir's leadership, citing his popularity and resilience despite significant adversity.
An unnamed senior BNP leader acknowledged the speculation surrounding potential successors but noted that Moyeen Khan is gaining popularity due to his recent activities. However, the final decision will rest with the party's high command.
Zainul Abdin Farooq, an advisor to the BNP Chairperson, also dismissed the rumors, highlighting Alamgir's prudent management during challenging times and his enduring support among party members.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is away from all political activities due to illness. Currently, she is undergoing treatment at her home Feroza in Gulshan and in Hospital. Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has been staying in London for a long time. In this situation, General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is leading BNP from the front as the leader of the party. The absence of two top leaders is seen by many as a leadership crisis in the party.
Although BNP has always been saying that, there is no crisis in the leadership of their party. Talking about the change in the post of general secretary, the central leaders of BNP said that this is part of the change of leadership in the reorganization of the party.
As part of this process, the Chhatra Dal committee has already been abolished. Changes may also come in the party's policy-making forum, the National Standing Committee. Senior leaders of the party also say that change in leadership is a normal process due to the needs of the party.
On the eve of the 12th National Assembly elections, BNP was on the streets, but the leaders and workers of the party retreated after the clash with the police in Nayapaltan on October 28. The senior leaders of the party including the general secretary were arrested one after another. Almost all BNP leaders including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul were released from jail after the election.
BNP Vice Chairman Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad (Bir Bikram) said that he (Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir) is ill. Maybe he himself wants to leave (from the post of Secretary General). In BNP, the party chairperson takes all the decisions. The chairperson can take decisions by looking at different conditions. Because, the party needs to be restructured.
Advocate Nitai Roy Chowdhury, vice chairman of the party, said that the vacant positions in the central committee must be filled before or after. The sooner we can complete our organizational work, the better.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on June 22 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan)
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