Unsavory practices in rank and file stir BNP 

Changes in the BNP’s central leadership, defiance of party directives at the grassroots and allegations of crimes committed in the party’s name have created fresh pressure on the party’s organisational activities.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, who became acting Secretary General after Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stepped down from the post, now faces the challenge of strengthening discipline at the grassroots and restructuring the party organisation. 

As a result, implementing central decisions at the grassroots, filling vacant organisational posts and addressing allegations of criminal activities have emerged as major organisational priorities for the party.

There are claims within the BNP that some leaders previously considered close to Fakhrul no longer holding the priority into the party, they once did. At the same time, some leaders who have worked closely with Rizvi have become more visible in central party activities.

However, BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Advocate Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal dismissed the claims when speaking to The Daily Observer.

“Not at all. There is no such rift within the party under the leadership of our chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Those spreading such narratives do not have good intentions,” he said.

Alal said, “On the contrary, the current Acting Secretary General, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, is consistently cooperating with the party restructuring process led by our Standing Committee member, Nazrul Islam Khan.”

“He extends sincere cooperation to everyone entrusted with responsibilities for the party’s restructuring. Our acting Secretary General is a dedicated and sincere individual committed to the cause,” Alal added.

Mirza Fakhrul had long played a key role in the BNP’s organisational activities. Rizvi, meanwhile, built a profile as a dedicated grassroots leader through years of organisational work centred around the party’s Naya Paltan headquarters, press briefings and direct communication with party leaders and activists.

After taking charge as acting Secretary General, Rizvi has taken initiatives to accelerate organisational activities. In mid-September, the BNP announced plans to fill vacant posts at different levels and restructure its organisational framework.

But questions over grassroots control have intensified as names of BNP leaders and activists have surfaced in allegations involving attacks, illegal occupation, extortion, vandalism and drug-related offences in different parts of the country.

Despite BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman taking a strict position against such allegations, incidents involving party activists have continued to create political and organisational pressure.

Recent incidents, including the attack, vandalism and looting at Radda Health Centre, an alleged attempt to seize land in Mohammadpur, an armed attack in South Manikdi near ECB Chattar, vandalism at content creator Salman Muqtadir’s studio and an alleged attempt to take over an eight-storey building in Adabar, have added to concerns over law and order.

Following the involvement of several local BNP and affiliate organisation activists in the attack on Radda Health Centre, the committees of Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP, Jubo Dal and Metropolitan West Chhatra Dal were dissolved. Fourteen people from different levels of the BNP, Chhatra Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Sramik Dal were also expelled.

Alal said the party was working to make its grassroots leaders more public-friendly.

“Every individual possesses both good and bad traits. However, whether a person exhibits good or bad behaviour depends on which aspect they cultivate more in their daily lives. That is why our party is conducting various programmes to mould grassroots politicians into public-friendly figures," he said.

"I believe that senior leaders who incite grassroots activists to engage in misguided activities must also be held accountable. After all, the entire party is being placed in an embarrassing position because of a handful of such activists," he added. 

Alal said the BNP had always conducted its politics with accountability to the public and would continue to do so. Any party member acting against public expectations, he added, would face disciplinary action.

Recently, around 1,200 Awami League activists and leaders were reported to have joined the BNP in Gopalganj. Local BNP leaders attended an induction programme held on June 3, while Dr K.M. Babar, MP for the Gopalganj-2 constituency, welcomed the new members.

The development has raised questions because a BNP directive issued on August 8, 2024 stipulated that, until further notice, activists of other political parties or non-political individuals could not be inducted into any committee from the ward level to the national level.

There is now internal discussion within the BNP over a possible gap between central directives and political realities at the grassroots. Allegations have also emerged that some local leaders are inducting new members to strengthen their own organisational positions.

A section of grassroots members fears that newly inducted individuals could quickly gain influence and overshadow long-serving activists. They also fear that such developments could lead to rivalry between veteran members and newcomers.

The police have also made it clear that political affiliation will not protect anyone from criminal action. Lists of people allegedly involved in land grabbing, extortion, drug-related offences, teenage gangs and other crimes are being prepared at district and metropolitan levels, with provisions to add new names as information emerges.

The police have also taken a tougher position on crimes committed under the cover of political affiliation.

At the monthly crime review meeting at Police Headquarters on September 29, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir directed field-level police officers to take strict legal action against criminals, extortionists and drug dealers regardless of their political identity.

The meeting was attended by metropolitan police commissioners, range DIGs and district police superintendents, either in person or virtually.

The IGP said police officers did not need to wait for approval from senior officials to arrest people involved in criminal activities. Once evidence of criminal involvement was found, action was to be taken regardless of the suspect's political position or affiliation.

Instructions were also given to file cases under the Land Crime Prevention and Remedy Act in land-related offences. Police were told to expand Quick Response Team operations and intensify drives against illegal arms, narcotics, teenage gangs and extortionists.

At the same time, concerns have emerged over the induction of people from other political backgrounds into the BNP.

The ongoing debate over new membership and leadership changes has added another layer to the challenge.

How effectively the high command's directives reach the grassroots and how the organisational structure is reshaped are now central issues in the BNP's internal organisational activities.