Uncertainty clouds BNP's council in December

Fresh uncertainty has emerged over the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) plan to hold its long-awaited National Council in December, with senior leaders indicating that the ambitious timeline is becoming increasingly difficult to meet despite an earlier commitment by the party leadership.

Although the issue figured prominently at the party's Standing Committee meeting on Sunday night, no decision was taken on a date for the council, underscoring growing doubts over whether the country's largest political party can organise its first National Council in more than a decade before the year ends.

Party insiders said the leadership is now weighing organisational preparedness and the evolving political calendar, particularly the expected local government elections, before taking a final decision. However, they stressed that efforts to reorganise the party from the grassroots to its associate and affiliated bodies will continue regardless of when the council is eventually held.

Soon after the formation of the new government, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had indicated that the party would convene its National Council in December this year. But with only a few months remaining, senior leaders privately acknowledge that completing the extensive preparations required for such a large-scale event within the timeframe will be challenging.

According to sources, the council issue was discussed in detail during the Standing Committee meeting, but no consensus was reached on the schedule.

Another senior party leader said the immediate focus may instead shift to filling several vacant positions in the Standing Committee.

"Although the council has been discussed, there is currently no visible indication that it can be organised within the announced timeframe," the leader told The Daily Observer.

A review of BNP's organisational history shows the party has never held a National Council while in government, despite its constitution requiring one every three years. The party's last council was held in March 2016.

Several senior BNP leaders said holding the National Council remains crucial for revitalising the organisation, updating leadership structures and injecting fresh momentum into the party. However, they admitted that preparations for an event of such magnitude require considerable time and coordination.

They also noted that the government's expected focus on local government elections from September could further complicate preparations for the council this year.

Despite the uncertainty, party sources said BNP plans to undertake extensive organisational restructuring across district, upazila and grassroots units, as well as its associate and affiliated organisations.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, "I have not received any message that the National Council will take place in December. However, there is a possibility that it will be held within a relatively short period," Rizvi told The Daily Observer.

Standing Committee member and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Nazrul Islam Khan said the party remained committed to holding the council but had not fixed any deadline.

"We are considering the National Council to further strengthen the party organisationally. However, no decision has been made that it must be held in December. BNP is the country's largest political party, and organising a National Council requires extensive preparation. We intend to hold a well-organised and disciplined council as soon as possible," he said.