Bhuiyan unveils BNP reform proposal: Khaleda dropped

BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday released a 15-point reform proposal sealing off the fate of Khaleda Zia to become the party Chairperson and Prime Minister forever from the next term.

The proposal suggested drastically curtailing the arbitrary power and the authority of the BNP Chairperson and making the post almost ceremonial by amending the party constitution in its next Council Session.

Other major features of the much-talked about proposal included ending the control of Khaleda dynasty on the BNP, dropping a broad hint that her eldest son and political heir Tarique Rahman, the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General, will be axed.

Mannan Bhuiyan released the proposal at a crowded press conference at his Gulshan residence last afternoon after a meeting of the senior party leaders, including its Senior Standing Committee member and former Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman.

“A person will not be able to hold the post of Chairperson in three-year term more than twice or six years altogether. This rule will also be applicable for those who have already served six years as Chairperson,” he said, adding, “A person, who was the Prime Minister for two terms, can neither be the BNP Chairperson nor the Prime Minister again.”

Khaleda Zia, the wife of former President and founder of the party Ziaur Rahman, is holding the post of the BNP Chairperson for last 24 years since 1984 after the death of former President Justice Abdus Sattar while thrice she was the Prime Minister.

Besides, BNP Chairperson, who will only preside over meetings of the concerned party forums, will have to resign if she takes oath as Prime Minister or Minister, Mannan Bhuiyan added.

The proposal, however, did not say anything about the tenure or any other matter of the BNP Secretary General.

Without directly mentioning her name, he bitterly criticised Khaleda Zia for the post-January 11 debacle of the BNP and the growth of tyranny, nepotism, cronyism, sycophancy, nomination trade and widespread corruption, both in the government and the party.

Further blaming her for taking the party far away of the principle and ideology of its founder—the late President Ziaur Rahman, Mannan Bhuiyan said a party enquiry committee would be formed to investigate into all these matters and disciplinary action would be taken against those responsible for wrongdoings.
Flanked by senior BNP leaders M Saifur Rahman, Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman, Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf, Mofazzal Karim, Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Enam Ahmed Chowdhury, Ashraf Hossain, Selima Rahman, Dr Osman Farruq and Maj Gen (Retd) ZA Khan and dozens of former MPs, Mannan Bhuiyan said their reform move was aimed at democratising and modernising the party.

“This is a draft proposal, not final. We will accept better proposals if there be any,” he said adding that the final decision on the proposed reforms would be made after the lifting of ban on indoor politics.

The BNP Secretary General avoided a direct answer when asked why the proposed reforms were chalked out without consulting Khaleda Zia. He, however, hastened to add: “We will send a copy of the proposal to the Chairperson.”

He responded in the negative when asked whether they put forward the proposals under any pressure in the changed context.

“The reform proposals are a reflection of hopes and aspirations of the BNP leaders and workers. All leaders and workers of BNP are in favour of reform.”

About reform proposals from the BNP chairperson, Bhuiyan said he was not aware of that, but said if any, that would also be discussed in the party forum.
Asked whether they announced the reforms to avoid arrest in the ongoing drive-which threw many political heavyweights behind bars—he said, “Not at all. BNP cannot be made democratic party until the reform takes place.”

Meanwhile, former President of Dhaka City BNP Lt Gen (retd) Mir Shawkat Ali Bir Uttam protested against the releasing of the reform proposal through a press conference instead of placing it at the party forum.

“The proposal is aimed at removing Begum Zia from the party not to reform the party,” opined General Shawkat, who was a wartime associate of General Ziaur Rahman.

However, reformist Awami League Presidium member Suranjit Sengupta welcomed the BNP proposal.