BNP Khulna city council today after 16 years

Khulna city unit of BNP is set to hold its council today after 16 years.

For the first time, the council will elect its leadership for the posts of unit's president, general secretary and organising secretary through direct voting.

The council will be held at the city's Circuit House ground in the morning, followed by the voting in the afternoon at the Khulna District Stadium's gymnasium.

Amid the current political landscape and in the aftermath of the July-August uprising, this conference holds particular significance for BNP in Khulna.

A total of 12 candidates are contesting for the three key positions, while 505 councillors from the city's five thanas will exercise their voting rights.

Party leaders and activists are showing great enthusiasm for the council, and expectations for new leadership are running high. Candidates are actively engaging with councillors, promising to work for the party's betterment, and even apologising for past mistakes.

For the first time, the council will elect its leadership for the posts of unit's president, general secretary and organising secretary through direct voting.

The council is being held three years after the formation of the BNP's convening committee in Khulna. Acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has been announced as the chief guest, while Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will be the special guest.

Election Commissioner Advocate Masud Hossain Roni declared the election schedule on February 16.

For the past 15 years, BNP faced numerous challenges in Khulna, including political repression from the ousted Awami League government, said party leaders.

Many leaders have been targeted with lawsuits and attacks, lost their businesses, or forced to withdraw from politics due to pressure. Internal conflicts within the party also led to significant obstacles, weakening the party's organisational strength and limiting grassroots activities in the city.

BNP's last Khulna city unit committee was formed in 2009, with Nazrul Islam Monju as president and Md. Moniruzzaman as general secretary.

On December 9, 2021, the BNP central leadership dissolved the previous committee and appointed a convening committee, which was later expanded to a 71-member committee on March 1, 2022, with Advocate Shafiqul Alam Mona appointed as convener and former Jubo Dal leader Shafiqul Alam Tuhin as member secretary.

Shafiqul Alam Mona, Tariqul Islam Zohir, and Sahaji Kamal Tipu are contesting for president post in the council today, while Shafiqul Alam Tuhin, Kazi Mahmud Ali, and Nazmul Huda Chowdhury Sagar are vying for general secretary post.

Contacted, Shafiqul Alam expressed optimism that the party men will recognise his dedication and contributions to the party despite facing political repression in the past 15 years.

Tariqul Islam Zohir accused the current convener and member secretary of manipulating the councillor selection process to favour their preferred candidates.

Rakibul Islam Bokul, student affairs secretary of BNP's National Executive Committee, who is overseeing the overall arrangements for the council, said around 10,000 party members are expected to attend it.