Single candidates in local polls emerge as challenge for BNP

Ensuring single, party-backed candidates in the upcoming local government elections is emerging as a major organisational challenge for the BNP as it seeks to prevent internal competition and vote splitting, party insiders said.

With local polls expected to be held in phases from late this year or early next year, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been holding meetings with grassroots leaders and activists every Monday and Thursday at his Gulshan political office to strengthen party organisation and ensure lone candidates.

In several areas, however, multiple influential leaders and activists are interested in contesting the same posts, raising concerns among grassroots leaders that rebel candidates could divide the party vote and undermine its prospects.

The party’s high command has therefore stepped up its organisational drive at the grassroots, seeking to select a single candidate for each post through councils of its front and associate organisations as early as possible.

Grassroots leaders and activists have been unable to contest local government elections over the past 15 years. During this period, many new and potential leaders have emerged in rural areas and are eager to contest the polls, several district-level leaders told the Daily Sun.

While chairing the BNP parliamentary party meeting at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on 19 August, Tarique Rahman also pointed to growing gaps between party leaders and lawmakers in their constituencies.

He urged party leaders and activists to bridge those gaps ahead of the local government elections, a lawmaker who attended the meeting told the Daily Sun on condition of anonymity.

According to the lawmaker, Tarique said the BNP lost several seats in the 12 February national election because of rebel candidates. He warned that similar divisions could undermine the party in local polls, which will be held without party symbols.

As part of his organisational drive, Tarique held meetings with BNP leaders from Rangpur Division on 25 July and Rajshahi Division on 13 August. He also met leaders from Pabna and Chapainawabganj on 20 August, urging them to strengthen party unity and expedite grassroots reorganisation ahead of the local polls and party councils at all levels.

A BNP standing committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Daily Sun that the party expelled 190 rebel candidates during the 13th parliamentary election and would take similar action against anyone who violates its decision in the local polls.

Despite the party’s firm stance, questions remain over whether grassroots leaders will reach a consensus on single candidates, said a senior Rajshahi district leader who attended the 13 August meeting with Tarique.

“Whatever differences remain among the leaders, a single candidate must be ensured in the elections,” he said, referring to the party chairman’s directive.

The absence of party symbols in local elections is making the process more difficult, the leader said. The party has begun adopting various strategies, including offering important positions in the party and its associate bodies, to keep potential rebel candidates in check.

A BNP standing committee member said having multiple qualified candidates was natural for a large political party. However, he said, popularity, contribution, sacrifice for the party and public acceptability would be considered in finalising nominations.

“There is no scope to go beyond the decision of the party’s central leadership,” he said.

BNP acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi recently said his primary responsibility was to strengthen the organisation, improve coordination and relations among leaders and activists, and address shortcomings from the grassroots to the central level.

Regarding the local elections, Rizvi said local leaders at union, upazila and district levels would assess the candidates and support the most suitable, popular and acceptable person.

“Nationalist forces must work for a party-backed individual to ensure victory,” he said, referring to directives from the party chairman.

Rizvi also said new leadership would be announced for expired committees and councils would be held in due course. Those stepping down from their positions, he said, would remain within the party and could be given higher posts or responsibilities in the party or its affiliated bodies.

Meanwhile, the BNP faces a broader organisational challenge, with the party itself and 10 of its 11 affiliated and associated organisations operating with expired committees, according to the party constitution.

The committees of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Krishak Dal, Mohila Dal, Muktijoddha Dal, Sramik Dal, Tanti Dal, Matsyajeebi Dal and Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha have all exceeded their terms.

A new committee of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, the party’s main youth organisation, was recently formed following the formation of the BNP-led government on 17 February.

Thousands of union, upazila and municipal committees exist across the country’s 64 districts and hundreds of sub-districts, with the central leadership coordinating with grassroots units through the office of the party’s senior joint secretary general.

Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said on Thursday that the local government election schedule may be announced in September, with voting likely to begin in late November or December in phases.

The Election Commission has already collected updated information on various elected posts in 4,581 union parishads, 61 zila parishads, 495 upazilas, 330 municipalities and 13 city corporations, which are ready for elections.