BNP's fifth council

AFTER the debacle in December 2008's general election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)'s holding of council seems to have rejuvenated the leadership as well as the rank and file workers. The huge gathering of the councillors and delegates at the council venue is indicative of the great enthusiasm the event has created in the party.
Though holding of a council, if held regularly as provided in the constitution of a party, goes to reinvigorate it through the democratic exercise of electing office bearers, it has happened after a long gap of 16 years since the last (the fourth) one was organised in 1993. The great interest the party workers and supporters, the media, political watchers, other political parties, foreign diplomats and political representatives of different countries have shown through their participation and expression of goodwill at the council should help the party to realise the importance of this democratic exercise if held regularly.
The attendance of a member of the ruling Awami League, which is also its number one contender in the national politics, augurs well as it breathes fresh air into inter-party relationship.
However, successful and happy ending of the council notwithstanding, some questions linger. What examples have this fifth council of BNP set before the party's supporters, the well-wishers and the people at large? Though the different national, district and local committees of the party have been expanded to accommodate new entrants, the council in reality has hardly added any new dimension to party culture. It has concentrated power in the hands of party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia as before by way of investing in her the authority to select the different office bearers, members of the National Executive and the Standing committees. Another marked aspect of the event is the election of the party chairperson's son Tarique Zia as a powerful senior vice chairman thus putting the future leadership of the party in his hands.
In the ultimate analysis, this major political party stands to gain by strengthening the foundations of intra-party democracy.
The fact that both the major political parties have held their councils has left a refreshing impact on the overall political atmosphere. It is hoped that the trend will continue and the national political climate would grow out of its prevailing inertia and inject dynamism into politics.