BNP to launch counter-programmes to Jamaat, like-minded parties for upcoming polls
The party plans to go directly to the people, seeking votes and promoting its 31-point plan
What the BNP plans to do:
- Door-to-door campaign
- Promote its 31-point plan
- Finalise election manifesto
- Drive public attention towards polls
- Review July Charter's implementation
- Constitutional amendments to be left to the next parliament
- A single candidate in each constituency
- Instruct to avoid infighting
- Reinstate some members whose misconduct allegations were not proven
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has decided to launch a series of programmes including a door-to-door campaign to encourage an election atmosphere ahead of the upcoming national polls as several other political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, have announced their own simultaneous programmes.
The decision was made during a meeting of the party's highest policymaking body, the Standing Committee, held on 15 September at the BNP chairperson's political office in Gulshan, which was presided over by acting chairman Tarique Rahman virtually from London.
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The party plans to go directly to the people, seeking votes and promoting its 31-point plan. The strategy also includes a focus on finalising its electoral manifesto and selecting candidates.
Based on several common demands, including the introduction of a proportional representation (PR) system in both houses of the upcoming election and holding parliamentary elections based on the legal framework of the July Charter, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (Charmonai Pir), and the two factions of Khelafat Majlis are set to take to the streets from tomorrow.
Several other parties may also join this programme. Initially, the parties will hold a three-day demonstration across the country, including in Dhaka, after which they will announce fresh programmes.
Speaking to journalists in that regard, BNP Standing Committee member Salauddin Ahmed confirmed the plans. "Those who have announced programmes have the right to do so. If they give political speeches, BNP will respond with political speeches of its own," he said.
The meeting also reviewed the July Charter, an agreement that has become a key point of political discussion. The party believes that the push for the charter's implementation is a strategy to pressure the interim government to meet some parties' demands.
A source at the meeting told The Business Standard that leaders discussed how to focus public attention on the upcoming election, which is just five months away. Some members argued that the party must be fully election-oriented and prepared.
The committee also reportedly took a decisive stance on the legal basis of the July Charter's implementation.
It was agreed that constitutional amendments, which would be necessary for some of the charter's reforms, should be left to the next elected parliament. The party also decided to seek a Supreme Court opinion to ensure that the charter's legal framework is beyond question in the future.
Additionally, it has been learned that the relevant individuals are working on formulating the election manifesto in light of the 31 points. In the upcoming election, BNP will field a single party candidate in each constituency. To prevent potential candidates from getting involved in any conflicts or creating any factions among themselves, instructions have already been issued from the central committee.
The committee also addressed the controversial actions of some party and affiliate members following the July Uprising on 5 August. The party believes that the disciplinary measures taken have restored a sense of order throughout the organisation.
The meeting also decided to reinstate some members against whom allegations of misconduct were not proven, a BNP source confirmed.
