UNB, Dhaka :
Infighting, lack of alternative credible forerunners, jailing of senior BNP leaders, dilemma over dealing with
the evolving situation following the bifurcated city corporations and the ongoing upazila elections are among the major reasons that have stood in the way of reconstituting the Dhaka city unit BNP committee, according to party insiders.
Though BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had announced nearly one and a half months back to reorganise its Dhaka city committee as soon as possible as part of revamping the party in the wake of its apparent unsuccessful movement before the January 5 national election, there has been no tangible progress in this regard so far, frustrating those looking for the party’s overhaul.
“Dhaka plays the key role in making any movement a success as it’s the centre of politics. So, it’s essential to make our city unit stronger with major overhaul before waging a strong movement for resorting democracy through a holding a fresh election,” said BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman.
Mentioning that Khaleda Zia has already sat with Dhaka City unit BNP leaders and
standing committee members, and taken necessary steps to reorganise the city unit, Mahbub said though their steps in this regard are not visible, they are doing now primary and some basic works to bring a significant change in the unit and make it stronger.
“The new committee will be formed very soon with competent, dedicated young and seasoned leaders. Our chairperson is working on it and devising various plans. The committee is likely to announce after upazila polls.
He, however, said they could not accelerate the party rearranging process due to some internal problems, jailing of the party leaders and the ongoing upazila polls.
Mahbub welcomed BNP vice-president Sadeque Hossain Khoka’s decision to resign from the post of convener of the party’s Dhaka city unit, saying it is a way forward in reorganising the committee.
Another BNP standing committee member wishing anonymity said the process is being delayed as the chairperson is in dilemma over picking up competent and sincere leaders for making the committee.
He also said, it is undeniable that the city BNP leaders and activists are divided into mainly two groups-one backed by Sadeque Hossain Khoka and another by Mirza Abbas. So, it is also a challenge to form the committee comprising of both groups.
On February 10, Khaleda sat with the senior leaders of Dhaka city unit BNP and its associate bodies and decided to form the new committee of each unit of city BNP through holding council.
Later on March 9, she sat with the party policymakers and elaborately discussed the formation of the new committee.
