BNP plans counter progs against Jamaat, alies
Reza Mahmud :
Getting annoyed from once ally Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamists parties’ programmes, the BNP has made plans to announce counter programme and attract people to the ideology of late President Ziaur Rahman, party insiders said.
BNP leaders said they are annoyed with several demands of Jamaat-e-Islami and their ally parties, including implementation of major reforms before polls, PR election system and legalising July Charter.
According to the party leaders, the BNP has decided to roll out a series of political programmes, including a door-to-door campaign, aimed at creating an election-friendly environment in the lead-up to the upcoming national elections.
The party will start strong publicity to conduct against PR polls system which the Islamists parties demand.
This move comes in response to several other parties – notably Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh – announcing their own coordinated political activities.
The decision was finalised during a meeting of BNP’s highest policymaking body, the Standing Committee, held on Monday night at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan. Acting chairman Tarique Rahman presided over the meeting virtually from London.
When contacted, BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. Abdul Moin Khan told The New Nation, “We obviously try to attract the people towards our ideology and plans through which we will work for the countrymen.”
He said the BNP will go to the people and try to make them understand well about the party’s efforts for the wellbeing of the country.
Party sources said, as part of its campaign strategy, BNP aims to directly engage with the public, appealing for votes while promoting its 31-point reform agenda. The party is also working on finalising its election manifesto and candidate selection process.
Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (Charmonai Pir), and the two factions of Khelafat Majlis, among others, are set to hit the streets starting tomorrow. These parties are united by several shared demands, including the introduction of a proportional representation (PR) system and holding elections under the legal framework proposed in the July Charter. They are planning an initial three-day demonstration nationwide, including in Dhaka, with further programmes expected to follow.
Commenting on this development, BNP Standing Committee member Salauddin Ahmed stated, “Everyone has the right to organise political programmes. If others deliver political messages, BNP will respond accordingly with its own.”
The meeting also delved into the July Charter, which has become a focal point of current political discourse. BNP views the charter’s advocacy as a tactic being used by some parties to exert pressure on the interim government to fulfill their demands.
Regarding the legal aspects of the July Charter, the committee adopted a firm stance. It concluded that any necessary constitutional amendments should be undertaken by the next elected parliament. BNP also plans to seek a Supreme Court opinion to ensure the charter’s legal foundation remains undisputed in the long term.
Work is underway to align the party’s election manifesto with its 31-point plan. BNP has decided to nominate one candidate per constituency in the next election. To avoid internal conflicts and factionalism among potential contenders, the central leadership has already issued clear directives.
The committee also reviewed disciplinary actions taken after the July Uprising on 5 August. According to the party, these measures have helped restore organisational discipline. Furthermore, individuals against whom allegations of misconduct could not be substantiated will be reinstated, confirmed a BNP insider.