Swechchhasebak Dal looks for fresh blood

The restructuring of the central committee of Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal has entered its final stage, with a new leadership likely to be announced any time this week.

According to multiple reliable party sources, the BNP is set to inject fresh blood into its volunteer wing to energise organisational activities and realign the party with the post-election political landscape.

Sources at the BNP's Gulshan office said Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman held separate meetings with leaders of Dhaka District BNP, Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP and the central Swechchhasebak Dal.

ASPIRANTS FOR PRESIDENT POST
*    Current Organizational Secretary Nazmul Hasan
*       Senior VP Yasin Ali
*       VP Fakhrul Islam Robin
*       Ex-GS of Dhaka South JSD Nazrul Islam 

CONTENDERS FOR GS POST
*    Ex-JCD President Fazlur Rahman Khokon
*    Ex-President Kazi Rawnakul Islam Srabon
*       Ex-GS Iqbal Hossain Shyamal
*       Ex-GS Saif Mahmud Jewel

The meetings reviewed the prevailing political situation, the party's future course of action and measures to further strengthen the organisation. Party sources at Gulshan last Saturday said BNP Chairperson and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held separate meetings with leaders of Dhaka District BNP, Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP, and the central Swechchhasebak Dal. During these meetings, detailed discussions were held on the current political situation, the party's future action plans, and strengthening the organization.

At the meeting, Tarique Rahman emphasised organisational discipline, party unity, and strengthening grassroots organisational activities. He also highlighted the need for active participation of the party's associate and affiliated organizations in implementing the government's electoral commitments.

Present at the meeting were Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP Convener and Member of Parliament Rafiqul Alam Majnu, Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin, Dhaka District BNP President Khandaker Abu Ashfaq, and General Secretary Nipun Roy Chowdhury.

Rafiqul Alam Majnu said that the BNP Chairperson inquired about the leaders' organizational activities and stressed the importance of maintaining regular attendance at the party office.

Sources also said that a scheduled meeting with Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP on the same day was postponed. That meeting may be held within the next couple of days.

On the same evening, Tarique Rahman also held a separate meeting with the top leaders of Swechchhasebak Dal. Along with reviewing the organization's current condition, the issue of forming a new committee was discussed with importance.

Present at the meeting were current President SM Jilani, General Secretary Rajib Ahsan, Senior Vice President Yasin Ali, and Organizational Secretary Nazmul Hasan. According to party sources, the BNP Chairperson conveyed a positive message about formally bidding farewell to the current leadership and bringing in a new one.

It is worth mentioning that on September 4, 2022, a three-year committee was formed with S.M. Jilani as President and Rajib Ahsan as General Secretary. The tenure of that committee has already expired. Meanwhile, as the President is serving as a Member of Parliament and the General Secretary is serving as a State Minister, they are unable to devote as much time to the organization as before. Those concerned believe this has created the need for new leadership.

For the post of President, the most discussed names are current Organizational Secretary Nazmul Hasan, Senior Vice President Yasin Ali, Vice President Fakhrul Islam Robin, and former General Secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan South Swechchhasebak Dal Nazrul Islam.

Meanwhile, the names being discussed for the post of General Secretary include former Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal President Fazlur Rahman Khokon, former President Kazi Rawnakul Islam Srabon, former General Secretary Iqbal Hossain Shyamal, former General Secretary Saif Mahmud Jewel, and Dhaka Metropolitan South Swechchhasebak Dal President Zahir Uddin Tuhin.

Organizational Secretary Nazmul Hasan told the Daily Observer, "Committee restructuring is an ongoing process. Our organizational guardian, Tarique Rahman, will announce the new committee whenever he deems it appropriate."

Fakhrul Islam Robin told the Daily Observer, "I will perform with dedication whatever responsibility the party assigns to me. I believe my sacrifices and organizational contributions will be properly evaluated."

Nazrul Islam said, "The current President and General Secretary are busy with their state responsibilities. To make the organization more dynamic, a new committee is now the need of the hour."

Current General Secretary Rajib Ahsan told the Daily Observer, "We will welcome the new leadership whenever it comes. Until then, we will continue to carry out our responsibilities with dedication."

In this regard, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told the Daily Observer, "I have not officially received any such information. However, changes may come in the interest of strengthening the organization. This is a natural and ongoing process."

According to party sources, the announcement of the new committee will bring renewed momentum to the organizational activities of Swechchhasebak Dal and further strengthen the implementation of political programmes at the grassroots level.