Despite the opposition parties waging tough movements like blockades and hartals for over a month, the main leadership of the BNP remains conspicuously absent. The ongoing month-long movement is being executed by ordinary field-level activists and leaders of affiliated parties.

While most front-line leaders of the party are in jail, the rest of the BNP leaders are in hiding. This includes members of the standing committee and the majority of leaders from the central committee.

After the party's sixth council on March 19, 2016, where BNP formed a central committee comprising more than 600 members in two rounds, the current count has been reduced to 502. Among the remaining 98, many have passed away, some have been expelled, and others have resigned.

Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP media cell, said the 19-member Standing Committee saw the passing of some key figures like Tariqul Islam, Barrister Moudud Ahmad, MK Anwar, and Brigadier General (Retd) Hannan Shah.

On the other hand, Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia is seriously ill, while the party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, and Amir Khusru Mahmud Chowdhury are in jail.

According to party insiders, Barrister Muhammad Jamiruddin Sircar, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, and Selima Rahman have refrained from participating in party programs since October 28, when a clash took place between the party leaders and the law enforcement agencies. Although they engage in virtual meetings, none of them have been seen in public.

Khandkar Mosharraf Hossain, a Standing Committee member, remains silent, citing ongoing health issues. Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and Salahuddin Ahmed, active from outside the country, are not expected to return home soon. 

Tough situation

Party officials emphasize that, with the 12th national parliamentary elections approaching, the absence of senior leaders within the country as well as the lack of reaction from the rest of the standing committee members has become a significant challenge to keeping up the momentum of the ongoing movement.

Furthermore, other senior leaders outside the standing committee are nowhere to be found.

Out of the party's 35 vice chairmen, nine have passed away, five are in jail, three are abroad, three have resigned, and one has been expelled. The rest have gone into hiding since October 28.

Of the 75 members of the advisory council, 19 have passed away, 3 are in prison, and one has been expelled. The presence of the remaining members is almost nonexistent, according to party sources.

Four out of eight joint secretaries general and three of the ten organizing secretaries are currently in jail.

Sources within the BNP claim that the party has untapped potential, but there is a lack of action to exploit it.

The current leaders find themselves as fugitives, prompting the need for the right decision to harness the party's capabilities.

While activists across the country remain active on the streets 24/7, frustration prevails due to the absence of leadership, reaching even the top leadership of the BNP.

Grassroots leaders have raised this issue during organizational discussions with the top leadership.

What are the challenges?

BNP leaders acknowledge multiple challenges leading up to the national elections.

The participation of some leaders as rebel candidates in the elections across the country and the need for a balanced strategy with the international community to achieve fair and impartial elections are highlighted.

The failure of the UN-brokered dialogue before the 2014 elections, as well as the withdrawal of senior leaders from alliances like the Jatiya Oikya Front in 2018, contribute to the current leadership dilemma.

A reliable party official said there was a lack of discussion in the standing committee in the build-up to many anti-government programs on December 10 last year and July 29 this year.

In addition, during the simultaneous anti-government movement, Jamaat was initially kept out of the program, but the two sides began getting closer in June last year.

Sources claim that a member of the standing committee has played a prominent role in the past year, as reflected in the ongoing program.

Due to this, leaders of the liberal, pro-democratic faction of the party feel cornered. While communication with foreign representatives in Dhaka is maintained by second-line leaders, the activism of senior leaders in achieving political goals is deemed essential.

What senior BNP leaders say

BNP leader Selima Rahman claimed that the party is on its way to topple the government.

She said: "We are maintaining contact with many people. The physical absence of the leaders is not having any negative impact.”

Selima Rahman asserted that the grassroots leaders have demonstrated the essence of the movement: when any leader is arrested, another one takes up the mantle.

Earlier, a central committee leader of the BNP said: "The central leaders are staying in a secured position under the instructions of Tarique Rahman. This is a party decision."

Another member of the standing committee said that thoughts of returning to the normal program have surfaced. However, the ongoing activities will not continue in the same manner as they are.