The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has launched a wide-ranging organisational restructuring process aimed at strengthening its internal structure and preparing for upcoming political and electoral challenges.
Party leaders say the initiative is part of a broader plan to revive inactive units, rebuild expired committees and create a more efficient organisational framework capable of separating party operations from broader political responsibilities.
As part of the process, the party is considering publishing partial lists of committees for several affiliate organisations by Eid-ul-Adza in an effort to reduce internal tensions and manage competing claims for leadership positions.
* Leaders focus on expired committees, leadership reshuffle
* Partial publication of committee lists by Eid-ul-Azha
* Emphasis on improving organisational efficiency
* Internal competition intensifies
* Restructuring aims to strengthen the party
Party insiders said the restructuring comes ahead of BNP's long-awaited national council, which is expected to be held after nearly a decade. Leaders believe that internal reforms across central, district and metropolitan units must be completed before the council takes place, possibly later this year.
According to sources, the terms of committees in at least 10 of BNP's 11 affiliate and associate organisations have already expired. Although party rules require periodic renewal, many committees reportedly remained unchanged for years during the previous political period, leading to organisational stagnation at multiple levels.
One of the most affected bodies is the Jatiyatabadi Matsyajibi Dal, which has reportedly functioned without a central committee for nearly 20 months. Party insiders say the absence of leadership has weakened coordination at district and upazila levels, while creating dissatisfaction among grassroots activists.
Some activists, previously active in party movements, are now becoming inactive or shifting to other affiliate groups in hopes of securing positions in the upcoming restructuring process.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said organisational activities are ongoing across the country as part of the restructuring plan. He said responsibilities have already been distributed among district-level leaders to strengthen grassroots engagement.
He added that the central leadership is closely monitoring the restructuring of affiliate bodies and working to make the party more coordinated ahead of future political programmes.
Rizvi also said new committees for Dhaka Metropolitan North and South BNP will be announced once party chairman Tarique Rahman gives final approval.
Party policymakers say the restructuring effort reflects the need for a more disciplined and functional organisational structure. Emphasis is being placed on empowering younger, active and committed leaders while retaining experienced figures in key positions.
Sources said the restructuring process gained momentum in April, with the BNP chairman holding a series of meetings with leaders of different affiliate organisations.
Instructions were reportedly given to intensify organisational activity and strengthen public engagement.
The process has already triggered increased internal activity, with aspirants for leadership positions engaging more actively with central leaders and highlighting their political and organisational contributions. Political observers say this reflects rising competition within the party ahead of the national council.
Discussions over leadership changes are particularly active within major affiliate organisations such as Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal, where several names are being considered for key positions.
Political analysts say the restructuring may help BNP address long-standing organisational weaknesses and rebuild its grassroots network. However, they also caution that managing internal competition and maintaining balance among competing factions will be a major challenge in the coming months.
University of Dhaka political science professor Kazi Mohammad Mahbobor Rahman said effective party leadership depends primarily on commitment, leadership ability and public acceptance, rather than academic qualifications alone.
He warned that over-reliance on highly credentialed leaders disconnected from grassroots realities could weaken organisational strength during periods of political stress.
"Those who remain connected to the people are the ones who ultimately sustain political organisations in difficult times," he said.
