BNP to form think-tank for advising party chief Khaleda Zia
The BNP has decided in principle to form a “think tank” comprising like-minded intellectuals, professionals and experts that would give suggestions to party chief Khaleda Zia on different strategic issues, insiders say.
A draft proposal on formation of the think tank and its area of activities was placed before a meeting between senior leaders and the BNP chief at her Gulshan office on Sunday.
“We have decided in principle to form a think tank which will work for BNP making suggestions on various local and international issues,” BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman told The Daily Star.
He also said the chairperson would take a final decision on the formation of the think tank, its ways of work and other related issues.
Led by Prof Emajuddin Ahmed, former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, a group of pro-BNP intellectuals and professionals have been working unofficially as the party's think tank since long.
Emajuddin and others in their latest advice convinced Khaleda to take part in the city corporation elections in Dhaka South, Dhaka North and Chittagong as an exit route from their three-month-long anti-government movement that started on January 6.
Khaleda on April 4 unofficially called off the BNP-led 20-party alliance's 92-day nonstop blockade and a series of hartals and decided to participate in the city polls held on April 28.
Senior leaders at Sunday's meeting told Khaleda that most of the political parties at home and abroad have their own think tanks, but BNP has no such body or a research cell.
In the draft proposal, it was mentioned that the think tank would consult with the party's secretary general, pick different contemporary political, social and international issues and come up with suggestions on those.
“The think tank will analyse those issues from different perspectives. Apart from national politics, it will also keep watch on regional and global politics relating to Bangladesh. It will determine BNP's possible stance on those issues in light of public interests,” said a leader asking not to be named.
Apart from giving suggestions, it would also assist the party to take time befitting and realistic initiatives through research works, added the leader.
The think tank however will not be entitled to take any decision. They will just convey their advice to the BNP chief.
There would be sub-sections in the think tank for different sectors including education, economics, sports, ICT, agriculture, communications and diplomacy.
They will help BNP regarding the party's strategy on these sectors and what the party would do to develop these sectors if it goes to power.
Insiders say BNP will also bring amendment to its charter to materialise the idea and give it a strong base.
The party will also use different social media including Facebook and Twitter to attract the young generation. So far the party has no official Facebook page or Twitter account.
A dedicated group will be formed to work intensively on the social media, added insiders.