Leaders cite declining grassroots activity as focus shifts to government and parliamentary responsibilities

More than three months after forming the government, the BNP is grappling with a significant organizational challenge: a noticeable decline in grassroots activity. Party insiders report that many senior and mid-level leaders are now heavily involved in government, parliamentary, and administrative responsibilities. This shift has led to a decrease in engagement among some grassroots leaders and activists, raising concerns within the BNP about a potential further slowdown in organizational momentum.

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We have already given instructions to grassroots leaders and activists to speed up organisational activities. Targeting different programmes and the upcoming local elections, the party’s organisational activities will run in full swing.

According to party sources, field activities have been sluggish since the national election on February 12. Following years of political campaigning and the subsequent formation of the government, many party members have redirected their focus away from regular party work. Some are reportedly forming local alliances around members of parliament, while others are dedicating more time to business ventures, contracting, or personal interests. Compounding this issue, the terms for 10 out of 11 key committees within the BNP and its affiliated bodies have expired.

BNP policymakers view this waning grassroots connection as a primary risk, fearing that an over-reliance on administrative power could weaken the party's base. This could exacerbate internal divisions and complicate the management of upcoming local government elections. A senior BNP leader emphasized the immediate need to reactivate inactive members, noting that the influence of newly acquired power, competition for positions, and local interest-based conflicts have intensified in many areas. Controlling these factors is seen as crucial for maintaining organizational unity.

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After coming to power, the influence of power, competition for posts, and local interest-based conflicts have increased in many areas. If these are not controlled, maintaining organisational unity will be difficult.

In response, the BNP high command has initiated steps to address the situation. Letters were recently sent to grassroots leaders and activists urging them to accelerate organizational activities. Prior to these directives, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman reportedly stressed at a meeting that individuals wishing to remain within the organization must actively participate in ground-level work. The party's current focus is on three key areas: re-engaging inactive members, mitigating the formation of MP-centered local factions and internal divisions, and effectively communicating the government's public welfare initiatives to the populace.

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those who want to retain their place in the organisation must work on the ground