-69fe1041c2cf6.jpg)
For all latest news, follow the Daily Sun's Google News channel.
The ruling BNP is set to formally resume its nationwide organisational activities after more than five months at a meeting today chaired by BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
The party aims to revitalise its grassroots network, prepare for the upcoming local government elections and send a strong political message to opposition parties amid their planned protest programmes over the July National Charter.
BNP will hold a day-long organisational meeting at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka from 10am today. Several senior party leaders said Tarique Rahman is expected to deliver a policy speech covering contemporary politics, the party’s national council, the opposition’s movement and the implementation of the referendum verdict in line with the July National Charter.
According to sources at the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters, BNP’s 82 organisational districts, along with presidents and general secretaries of its 11 front and associate bodies, have been invited to attend the meeting.
The party’s organisational activities have largely remained dormant since last December due to preparations for the 12 February national election. Today’s meeting is expected to mark the formal resumption of those activities.
“The main objective of the meeting is to strengthen the party’s grassroots organisation ahead of the local government elections and the party’s national council,” said Syed Imran Saleh Prince, joint secretary general of BNP.
He added that, alongside organisational restructuring, the party also intends to respond politically to opposition campaigns demanding implementation of the referendum verdict.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance has announced fresh programmes from 16 May, pressing for implementation of the referendum verdict and several other demands.
In a recent statement, Jamaat-e-Islami said it intends to keep the National Parliament at the centre of opposition politics while also taking its campaign to the streets. The alliance plans to hold demonstrations focusing on issues such as implementation of the referendum verdict, local government elections, the energy crisis, rising commodity prices and the deterioration of law and order.
The opposition also aims to exert pressure on the government both inside parliament and through street protests.
Issues such as rape, murder, terrorism, alleged dominance of the ruling party’s student wing in educational institutions and extortion are also expected to feature prominently in the opposition’s programmes.
“We believe the opposition parties’ move is not a positive political gesture, as the BNP government has completed only 80 days in office as of Friday,” Prince said.
“We are all engaged in managing state affairs amid the challenging global situation created by the Middle East war.”
He said Tarique Rahman, who is also leader of the House, was unlikely to announce any counter-programme, but would provide guidance during today’s organisational meeting regarding implementation of the referendum verdict.
Responding to a query, Prince said the BNP chairman has repeatedly reaffirmed his commitment to implementing the charter signed by BNP and other political parties at the south plaza of the parliament complex on 17 October 2025.
Referring to the opposition’s anti-government programmes, he said the BNP leadership would advise party leaders and activists to remain vigilant against any attempt or conspiracy that could undermine the country’s stability and peaceful progress.
Prince also said the government has been facing challenges stemming from the global energy crisis, while the prime minister continues to implement electoral pledges without disrupting normal public life.
“BNP remains committed to implementing the July National Charter as promised,” he said, urging opposition parties to avoid disruptive political programmes ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
“The people want to celebrate Eid in a festive atmosphere. Any such programmes at this time could disrupt public activities related to the celebrations,” he added.
Prince said the party chairman has been focusing on organisational matters alongside official duties and has intensified efforts to restructure the party across the country following the conclusion of parliament’s first session.
Replying to another question, he said the ruling party has proposed forming an all-party committee to implement the referendum verdict and reform the constitution in line with the July National Charter.
“However, the opposition has announced anti-government programmes without even submitting the names of its representatives for the proposed committee,” he said, describing the move as “double standards”.
Another BNP joint secretary general, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the meeting as “the highest-level political gathering aimed at reshaping the party’s grassroots structure in line with the prime minister’s directives”.
“As the party has formed a new government, the prime minister, ministers and lawmakers have remained occupied with urgent state responsibilities since taking office,” the leader said.
“The BNP chairman will provide clear directions on strengthening and reorganising the party while upholding democratic practices within the organisation,” the leader added.