A fresh flurry of factional forecasting and fierce behind-the-scenes lobbying has swept through the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as it fast-tracks a far-reaching organizational facelift ahead of its upcoming national council. At the center of the mounting momentum is the much-anticipated formation of a new central committee for Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal, a development that has sparked widespread speculation across the party ranks.
After years of relative quiet, the battle for the volunteer wing’s top posts has burst back into the spotlight, with a string of seasoned organizers and street-tested leaders vying for the coveted positions. Party insiders say potential contenders have intensified their outreach to senior policymakers as BNP presses ahead with a broader restructuring drive designed to build a more dynamic, disciplined and battle-ready organization.
Party sources said BNP is preparing to hold its national council toward the end of this year. Ahead of the council, initiatives have been taken to reorganize expired associate and affiliated bodies, as well as metropolitan and district committees, with the aim of making the party structure more effective and dynamic.
Speaking to The Daily Observer about the new Swechchhasebak Dal committee, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, “I do not have any specific information about the new committee. However, the formation and restructuring of committees are part of the party’s regular organizational activities.”
The issue gained further attention following a recent meeting between BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the top leaders of Swechchhasebak Dal. Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Jilani, General Secretary Rajib Ahsan, Senior Vice President Yasin Ali, and Organizing Secretary Nazmul Hasan also attended the meeting.
Sources said the meeting discussed the organization’s restructuring and future leadership.
Currently, SM Jilani is serving as a Member of Parliament, while Rajib Ahsan is a State Minister. Party policymakers believe their state responsibilities have reduced their ability to devote full time to organizational activities. BNP is also considering its “One Leader, One Position” policy while selecting the new leadership.
On September 4, 2022, a three-year central committee was formed with SM Jilani as President and Rajib Ahsan as General Secretary. The committee’s tenure has already expired. Meanwhile, Senior Joint Secretary Saiful Islam Firoz was expelled from the party after contesting the last national election from Jhenaidah-4 constituency against the party’s decision.
Race for President
Among the names being discussed for the presidency are current Senior Vice President Yasin Ali, Organizing Secretary Nazmul Hasan, Vice President Fakhrul Islam Robin, and former Dhaka South Swechchhasebak Dal General Secretary Nazrul Islam.
Former Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal President Fazlur Rahman Khokon, Kazi Rawnakul Islam Srabon, former General Secretary Iqbal Hossain Shyamal, Saif Mahmud Jewel, and former Dhaka North Swechchhasebak Dal President Jahir Uddin Tuhin are also being considered.
Yasin Ali has a long political background in Chhatra Dal and BNP. His role in political movements, experience of facing cases and repression, and organizational involvement have strengthened his position among the contenders.
Fakhrul Islam Robin previously served as General Secretary of Dhaka North Chhatra Dal, Joint General Secretary of central Chhatra Dal, and President of Dhaka North Swechchhasebak Dal. His organizational skills and acceptability have placed him among the leading candidates.
Nazmul Hasan began his political career as General Secretary of the Mujib Hall unit of Dhaka University Chhatra Dal. He later served as Office Secretary and Vice President of central Chhatra Dal before becoming Organizing Secretary of Swechchhasebak Dal.
General Secretary Candidates
For General Secretary, names under discussion include Joint Secretary Kazi Moktar Hossain, Joint General Secretary Rafiqul Islam Rafiq, Abdur Rahim Hawlader Setu, Foyezullah Foyez, Sheikh Farid, and Jahir Uddin Tuhin.
Rafiqul Islam Rafiq, a former President of Jagannath University Chhatra Dal, has faced multiple cases and imprisonment during his political career and has maintained strong grassroots connections.
Former Chhatra Dal President Kazi Rawnakul Islam Srabon told The Daily Observer, “I have full confidence in our organizational guardian, Tarique Rahman. He will assign me responsibilities wherever he considers me most suitable.”
Presidential hopeful Fakhrul Islam Robin said, “Those who have remained active on the streets during movements, endured repression and persecution, and demonstrated the ability to organize grassroots activists will be duly recognized.”
Nazmul Hasan said the restructuring process was ongoing and Tarique Rahman would announce the new committee at an appropriate time. Nazrul Islam said, “The current President is a Member of Parliament and the General Secretary is serving as a State Minister. They are occupied with state responsibilities. For maintaining organizational dynamism, a new committee has become necessary.”
Rajib Ahsan said, “As long as we remain in our positions, we will continue to perform our responsibilities with dedication. We will welcome any new leadership chosen by the party.”
BNP Secretary for Swecchhasebak Affairs Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu said the party’s associate and affiliated organizations would be reorganized ahead of the national council and a new Swechchhasebak Dal committee would be announced soon.
Party sources said discussions are underway over a possible “Super Five” lineup for the new committee. Street activism, organizational ability, sacrifice, experience, and acceptability are being considered as key criteria.
