BNP changes polls strategies, busy with drafting plans
Reza Mahmud :
Amid the changed political atmosphere, the BNP also is transforming its electoral strategies including changing political propagandas, slogans, even candidacy, party insiders said.
Source said, as per the new political reality, the major political party the BNP has reorganised its top to bottom election campaigning plans.
It also promised to take strict actions in the party’s election campaigning against extortions and corruptions.
It has made plan to change candidacy in almost half of the total constituencies, party leaders, linked with it high-ups said.
Reliable leaders of the party said, the BNP previously decorated its polls propagandas against its so far arch rival Awami League’s wrong activities.
But in the post July revolution political ambiance, it has reshuffled its propagandas considering the other parties like once ally Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon Bangladesh and newly formed National Citizen Party.
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman repeatedly said the party men
over virtual addressing that the next national polls will not ordinary one, but will be difficult as the post July revolution, the people of the country become more aware.
When contacted, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed told The New Nation, “As the largest political party of the country, the BNP is always ready for vying in election. All types of necessary preparedness also have been taken.”
The BNP leader said, selecting MP candidacy is really a hard work, but it is regular task for the party high-ups.
“Whoever selected by the party high-command must be accepted by all including his competitors,” he said.
When contacted, BNP Organising Secretary Shama Obaed told The New Nation, “It is true that BNP has huge number of MP nomination aspirants in most of the constituencies, but party high-up’s decision will be followed unopposed.”
Everyone of the party love BNP, and they obviously will obey the high command’s decision.
Party sources said, as per the high command’s directives, it also keep several pro people programmes in its election campaign lists including canal cleaning, road renovation and such public welfare oriented activities.
The party also is keeping fallen Hasina’s huge corruption and autocratic activities’ criticisms in its election campaigning and promises of taking Bangladesh out of such dark chapter forever.
Sources said, the BNP is also contemplating changes in candidacies for over 150 constituencies ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election.
In these constituencies, those who had previously contested may be replaced by relatively younger, more popular, and image-conscious candidates. It has been reported that following the changed political scenario after August 5, the BNP high command was advised to take this approach.
Advisers have said that party affiliation alone will not be sufficient for victory in the next election – a candidate’s personal image is also crucial. They warned that sticking to old strategies could harm the party.
The Election Commission (EC) has begun necessary preparations to hold the 13th National Parliamentary Election in February.
In this context, BNP has also launched various initiatives to finalize its candidates. The party high command is working on this through internal surveys and other processes. However, the BNP is not overly concerned about candidate selection in nearly 150 of the 300 constituencies.
The high command believes there won’t be significant issues or complications in these seats, as most of the candidates had also run in the 2018 election.
On the other hand, several constituencies have been identified as problematic based on surveys. The party considers around 150 seats as “complicated” or sensitive.
In each of these constituencies, multiple potential candidates are actively campaigning. As a result, the BNP has begun summoning these candidates to the central office to resolve complications.
According to party sources, most of the complicated constituencies are likely to see changes in candidacies this time.
The high command has decided not to nominate any controversial individuals. Candidates with a clean image and local popularity, who align with the spirit of mass uprisings, will be nominated in these areas.
In constituencies with multiple contenders or internal group conflicts, the party is bringing potential candidates to the center to convey directives and unify them.
Starting last Monday, party leaders have been holding a series of meetings with potential candidates from “complicated” constituencies at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan.
It has been learned that senior BNP leaders, including Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, have already held separate meetings with potential candidates from about 50 constituencies in districts like Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Joypurhat, Barishal, and Bogura.
Sources from these meetings revealed that the leaders conveyed a message from BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, stating that whoever is nominated by the party must be accepted by all, and everyone must work together to ensure their victory, setting aside groupings and divisions. Otherwise, strict organizational measures will be taken.