The top leadership of BNP has expressed renewed concern over the infiltration of opportunistic and so-called ‘hybrid’ leaders within the party. Vigilance has been ordered from the center to the grassroots to ensure the appreciation of the long-standing activists and activists in the movement and to prevent opportunists from gaining influence in the party.
In an organizational meeting of BNP held recently in Barisal, party chairman and Prime Minister Tariq Rahman told the leaders and activists that those who have sustained the organization despite the last 17 years of agitation, torture, disappearances, murders and political cases, are the real strength of the party. So under no circumstances will the doors of the party be left open to infiltrators or ‘hybrid’ leaders.
Party sources claim that the arrival of new faces from different areas has increased within a few months of the formation of the government. Although some of them were associated with other political parties in the past, it has been alleged that they are currently involved in various activities under the identity of BNP.
Trinamool leaders and activists complain that these people are trying to spread influence, extortion, encroachment and create chaos by using the name of the party. In addition to damaging the image of BNP, leaders who have been on the streets for a long time are being neglected.
According to leaders at the policy-making level of the BNP, the central leadership is regularly monitoring the organizational situation. Special precautions are being taken to prevent infiltrators from entering important positions before local government elections and party reorganization.
According to them, the Center is assessing the situation based on various reports received from the grassroots and is preparing to take necessary steps.
According to party leaders, the strength of a political organization depends on its long-tested and dedicated workers. If opportunists gain leadership opportunities, disillusionment builds among disengaged leaders and organizational performance weakens.
Syed Emran Saleh Prince, Joint Secretary General of BNP, said that the infiltration of opportunistic groups is often seen in the ruling parties. Therefore, it is important to prevent such tendencies to maintain the image and organizational strength of the party.
According to political analysts, the activism of opportunistic groups around ruling parties is nothing new. However, it is easier to maintain organizational discipline if a strict stance is taken in the beginning.
According to them, if this directive is effectively implemented at the grassroots level, the party discipline will be strengthened, as well as a positive message will be sent to the common people.
BNP leaders at various levels alleged that many leaders and workers of various parties including Awami League joined BNP after the political changes after the mass coup. It is alleged that some are formally and some informally associated with the party.
According to party sources, a large number of new workers joined the BNP in various districts of the country before and after the National Assembly elections. This trend has been seen in some areas including Gopalganj, Shariatpur, Faridpur, Comilla, Gazipur, Nilphamari, Patuakhali, Barisal, Sylhet, Moulvibazar and Dhaka.
Several BNP leaders have reminded that the decision to be cautious in accepting new members in view of the elections was taken earlier. However, there are questions within the team about how much that decision has been implemented at the field level.
According to party sources, BNP’s current aim is to make the organization more organized by evaluating the long-tested leaders and activists. Besides, instructions have been given to maintain a strict stance on those who are trying to join the party for political benefits.
According to political observers, the ‘hybrid’ issue may become one of the most important organizational challenges for the BNP in the process of local government elections and organizational restructuring. So this message from the central leadership can have an important impact on future party politics.
