Leaders say BNP is in ‘political paralysis’, criticise failure to reignite activities

Several leaders have criticised the BNP for failing to reignite party activities or the street protests, saying the party in ‘political paralysis’.

Mohiuddin Khan Mohan, joint secretary for publicity of the previous committee, said this was happening because the party failed to recognise the sacrifices of the leaders and activists.

“Money changed hands during the making of the new committee while dedicated leaders were ignored,” he alleged.

He brought the accusation in the presence of BNP Vice Chairman Abdullah-Al Noman at a party programme at Dhaka Reporters' Unity on Friday.

A number of other leaders echoed the similar sentiment against the party leadership.

Mohan, who failed to make the cut in the new committee, said the vote bank of the party is intact but the party is failing to use it to its advantage.

"I have heard that if you have money to offer, the BNP offers you plum posts," he went on.

In doing so, he almost echoed Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader who recently took a jibe at the BNP leadership for disappearing from the streets after announcing programmes and relaxing at home watching Hindi soaps.

"If they do not go out...how are the workers going to get involved?" he had wondered.

Mohan was critical of Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi for his penchant for making media statements.

A former assistant press secretary to Khaleda Zia, he hit headlines after his reported resignation when his name did not appear in the new committee formed last August.

He expressed his displeasure at the promotion of tainted BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed to the policymaking National Standing Committee.

Taking on Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu for proposing to rename Dhaka to Zia City if the BNP gets to power, Mohan said "There cannot be a more childish statement.”

He added that proposing this was merely demeaning Ziaur Rahman's legacy.

Former MP and BNP central committee member Nilufar Choudhury said, "When you sell nominations, that's one thing, but when you sell party posts nothing's left to the party."

Adviser to the party chairperson and Dhaka University's Prof Sukomal Barua could not help praising the miffed leaders.

“Self-criticism takes courage,” he said adding “what leaders have done is exemplary.”