The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is stepping up efforts to root out what it describes as “opportunistic” and “hybrid” elements from within its ranks, as internal tensions rise over allegations of corruption, extortion and political sabotage.
Over the past seven months, the BNP has expelled or suspended more than 3,000 leaders and activists across the country, in a sweeping internal purge aimed at reasserting party discipline. The move comes amid growing frustration among veteran party members who accuse newcomers—many with alleged ties to the ruling Awami League—of infiltrating the organization and exploiting it for personal gain.
Starting from the capital Dhaka, hybrid and privileged individuals are now involved in various misdeeds including encroachment, tender and extortion in various parts of the country.
The responsible leaders of the party have found that most of them may be 'hybrid' or opportunistic class individuals. However, the responsibility for these misdeeds has been placed on the leaders and workers of BNP and its affiliated organizations. In the existing situation, the leaders and workers of the party who have sacrificed and suffered during difficult times are extremely embarrassed.
According to party sources, strict action will be taken against them from the center this time. It has been decided to take not only organizational but also legal action against such guilty and criminal individuals.
According to relevant sources, the power of 'hybrid' people is now at its peak in BNP. Their violence has now reached its peak at all levels, from the capital Dhaka to the districts and upazilas. However, far from being involved in any movement or struggle, they have never been involved in any organizational activities. They are now contacting Dhaka and going to the villages with committees from the center. Because of them, the party's long-time loyal leaders and activists are now cornered and frustrated.
Although the BNP high command has taken a strict stance on hybrid leaders since the beginning of the political change after August 5. The center has issued instructions to the grassroots level to warn against giving hybrids a place in the party. Even punitive action is being taken against those who violate party discipline. Those who have been accused of misdeeds have been investigated and expelled based on evidence. Despite that, opportunistic and hybrid leaders are not being stopped at all.
Central office sources said that organizational action has been taken against more than 3,000 leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated organizations in the last seven months.
Of these, BNP has taken various measures against 1,800 leaders and activists. At least 750 of them have been given show cause notices, 800 have been expelled, 50 have been suspended, at least 100 have been warned and 150 have been given notices for breach of organizational discipline.
The associate organization Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal has also so far expelled 400 people and given show cause notices to more than 600 leaders and activists. At least 100 people have been expelled from the organi- zation Swechchhasebak Dal and 150 have been given show cause notices.
More than a hundred leaders and activists of the Jubo Dal have also been expelled. However, the local BNP is also being embarrassed by several grassroots leaders. Even the general secretary of BNP in Mathbaria Upazila No. 11, Mir Chhagir, has become reckless in extortion, terrorism, beatings, threats and intimidation. The party has investigated his misdeeds and found the truth, but for unknown reasons he is not being expelled. As a result, the district leaders who reported his misdeeds to the central office are now feeling embarrassed.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told Bangladesh Pratidin, “Joining in the party has been stopped. BNP is alert about hybrid leaders. In the meantime, the party has warned its leaders and workers.”
The acting chairman of the party, Tarique Rahman, has assured the evaluation of the grassroots leaders and workers on various occasions in this regard. Despite this, many people are committing many misdeeds in different places by tarnishing the name of BNP. With whom BNP has no connection whatsoever. The party will evaluate those who have made sacrifices and worked hard during the bad times of BNP.
(Translated by Tanvir Raihan)
