Krishak Dal restructuring in the offing

With the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) now leading the government, the party has stepped up efforts to overhaul its long-expired associate and affiliated organisations under the direct supervision of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. 

At the centre of the latest organisational drive is the formation of a new Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal committee, where intense lobbying and behind-the-scenes consultations have triggered a keen leadership 
contest.

Party insiders say the long-awaited committee could be announced within days. Several senior leaders are in the running for the posts of president and general secretary, while Tarique Rahman has already held a series of consultations with key organisational figures to finalise the leadership. Those discussions, sources say, will determine the final composition of the committee. 

The current Krishak Dal committee completed its tenure long ago. On September 20, 2021, agriculturist Hasan Jafir Tuhin was appointed president and Shahidul Islam Babul general secretary through a partial committee, which was expanded into a 231-member full committee on December 7 of the same year. The prolonged delay in reconstituting the organisation has fuelled demands for a comprehensive restructuring.

Party leaders said Krishak Dal played an active role in anti-government movements, campaigns for the restoration of democracy and election-related activities over the past several years. However, many senior leaders now hold parliamentary or government positions, reducing their ability to devote time to organisational responsibilities.

Currently, six leaders, including General Secretary Shahidul Islam Babul, serve as Members of Parliament, while President Hasan Jafir Tuhin is Chairman of the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) with the status of a state minister.
Leaders believe these additional responsibilities have slowed organisational activities, particularly at the district and grassroots levels, prompting the party high command to prioritise a more active leadership.

As part of the reorganisation process, Tarique Rahman recently met the top leaders of Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) auditorium in Dhaka before holding a separate meeting with Krishak Dal leaders. Strengthening the organisation, revitalising grassroots activities and finalising a new leadership reportedly dominated the discussions.

BNP Standing Committee member Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain told the Daily Observer that the restructuring of the party's associate organisations is progressing and leadership changes will be made according to organisational requirements.

"The reorganisation process is ongoing. A final decision will be taken after discussions with the responsible leaders," he said.

For the post of president, the names under serious consideration include current Senior Vice-President Helaluzzaman Talukder Lalu, BNP Research Affairs Secretary and agriculturist Shamimur Rahman Shamim, and current Vice-President Khalilur Rahman (popularly known as VP Ibrahim). Their organisational experience, contributions to political movements and grassroots connections are said to be key factors in the selection process.

For the position of general secretary, current Joint General Secretary and MP Mosharaf Hossain, Joint General Secretary and agriculturist Mehedi Hasan Palash, and Shahadat Hossain Biplob-General Secretary of the Association of Agriculturists of Bangladesh (AAB) and Joint Secretary of Krishak Dal-are among the leading contenders.

Party sources said Mehedi Hasan Palash currently enjoys strong consideration for the post, although the final decision will depend on organisational balance, leadership capability and overall acceptability within the party.

Sources further said that several former presidents and general secretaries of Chhatra Dal are also being considered for important positions in the new committee as the party seeks to combine experienced leadership with younger organisers.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told the Daily Observer that he had no official information regarding the proposed committee. However, he acknowledged that organisational requirements may necessitate leadership changes and that expired committees would be reconstituted in phases.

"Dedicated, tested and organisationally capable leaders will be given priority in the new committee," Rizvi said.
Party leaders believe the announcement of a new Krishak Dal leadership will inject fresh momentum into the organisation, strengthen its engagement with farmers across the country and enhance its effectiveness in implementing the BNP's political programmes.