Grassroots also tell BNP to drop controversial leaders
Rakib Hasnet Suman
Grassroots level leaders of BNP yesterday proposed to party high-ups that it should not continue ties with Jamaat-e-Islami considering the new generation’s sentiment, and drop all controversial leaders from party committees at all levels.
They also suggested that the party leadership reconstitute the committees with young, honest and dynamic leaders. And all the committees should be elected, not imposed, they said.
The suggestions came at a meeting between the party central team for Rajshahi Division headed by Joint Secretary General Mirza Abbas and upazila level leaders from Sirajganj.
Month-long meetings between six central teams for six divisions and field level leaders started yesterday at BNP central office at Nayapaltan in the capital. Two out of six teams began their work on the day.
The central teams have asked field level leaders to submit by February 23 written statements with suggestions for revamping the party, said insiders.
The team for Dhaka Division led by Joint Secretary General of the Party Abdullah Al Noman yesterday held a meeting with leaders of the party’s upazila units in Sherpur.
Contacted last night, President of Belkuchi upazila (Sirajganj) BNP Jamaluddin said “It will be better for our party if it does not continue relations with Jamaat.”
Stressing coordination between younger and older leaders for new committees, he said, “Dedicated and honest leaders should get importance in the reconstitution process.”
Echoing his views, Shahjadpur upazila BNP President Hossain Shahid Mahmud said, “In the last election, Jamaat activists did not do anything for BNP candidates, and they worked only for their party nominees.”
He said, “We have to go for a new policy on Jamaat as fresh voters have taken the war criminal issue emotionally. So, it will be risky for us to continue ties with Jamaat.”
Asked about reorganisation of the party, he said young, educated and dynamic leaders should be given scope to lead the party in the coming days.
Kamarkhandh upazilla BNP President Badiuzzaman Ferdous told this correspondent, “All committees of BNP should be reconstituted and good persons should be elected leaders.”
He also said, “Voters aged 18 to 25 took a strong stance against Jamaat in the last elections. So, we should not continue our relations with it.”
President of a upazila BNP unit in Sherpur said, “Party high-ups must have to take a strong stance against corrupt leaders and war criminals, otherwise we have to suffer more in future.”
Seeking anonymity, he said. “No controversial leader should be included in the standing committee and executive committee of the party since they have destroyed its image.”
According to the party announcement, the team for Khulna Division comprised of Selima Rahman and Mohammad Shahjahan will sit today with upazila level leaders from Magura district.
Courtesy: thedailystar.net
