The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, at a standing committee meeting on Saturday, underscored the need to hold its next national council at the earliest possible time as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s organisational structure.
The meeting, presided over by BNP chairman Tarique Rahman at the party’s Gulshan office in Dhaka, reviewed the government’s 47-day programme and deliberated on the party’s political strategies and policy positions, leaders who attended the meeting told New Age.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that discussions centred on consolidating the party and expediting preparations for the national council.
He said that holding the council at the earliest possible time to strengthen the party was given priority at the meeting.
Responding to a question on whether the council could be held before Eid ul-Azha, Fakhrul said, ‘It is not possible before Eid. It will take a few months.’
A standing committee member said that the meeting discussed the party’s post-election performance and various policy initiatives, including proposals related to family cards, agricultural support measures and canal excavation.
Energy and fuel issues also featured prominently, with concerns raised over rising international prices.
‘We discussed the current situation in the energy sector. Prices in the international market have increased significantly, and we examined whether any price adjustment measures could be considered,’ the BNP leader said.
He added that the party would gradually reorganise its structure and initiate organisational activities ahead of the council, although no specific date has yet been fixed.
Another standing committee member said the meeting also reviewed the opposition’s programmes for implementing the July Charter, reaffirming the BNP’s commitment to its implementation, while noting certain differences in line with its stated position.
The meeting was attended in person by standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and AZM Zahid Hossain, among others.
Standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Selima Rahman joined the meeting virtually.
