The BNP has decided to elect party’s senior vice-chairman through direct election as it elects the national executive committee chairperson.
Party chairperson Khaleda Zia on Wednesday approved the amendment to the constitution in this regard on the basis of recommendations of the standing committee members.
The party also formed a three-member election commission headed by standing committee member Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar to elect the party’s chairperson and the senior vice chairman. The two other members of the election commission are-vice chairman Aminul Islam and Harun-or-Rashid.
BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir disclosed this yesterday while addressing a press conference at party’s headquarters at Naya Paltan on the outcome of Wednesday’s standing committee meeting. The meeting was held at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office with Khaleda Zia in the chair.
He said Khaleda was requested to bring amendment of the party constitution that take necessary measures in accordance with section 19 (ka) of the constitution for election of party chairperson and senior vice chairman.
The BNP leader said the standing committee unanimously has chosen the former premier as the chairman of the preparatory committee for the national council and conference.
The meeting also decided to elect party chairperson and senior vice chairman before the national council scheduled for March 19.
According to party constitution, senior vice chairman enjoys the power of party chairperson in absence of him/her. That’s why the party decided to hold election in both the posts, said a party standing committee member.
The standing committee also formed 11 sub-committees to make the council a success. Heads of the sub-committees will be the member of the preparatory committee.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will head the reception sub-committee while Tariqul Islam of the manifesto sub-committee, Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah of the discipline sub-committee and Nazrul Islam Khan of the drafting sub-committee.
Goyeshwar Chandra Roy has been made the convenor of the management and publicity sub-committee, journalist Shafik Rehman of the international sub-committee, Abdullah Al-Noman of the publication sub-committee and Dr AZM Zahid Hossain of the medical treatment sub-committee.
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has been made convenor of the information and communication sub-committee and Gazi Mazharul Anwar of the cultural affairs sub-committee. But none was given the responsibility so far as the convenor of the finance sub-committee.
Replying to a question, Fakhrul said the national council would be held on March 19 but the venue has not yet been finalized since they could not confirm any of the three venues where they wanted to hold it.
“We could not ascertain yet as to where the council will be held. We are yet to get permission. But we expect that we will be able to know about the confirmation of the venue within a day or two,” he added.
The BNP leader said the standing committee meeting condemned the filing of sedition case against Khaleda Zia terming the government move as a deep rooted conspiracy to make the country devoid of politics and keep Khaleda Zia away from politics.
The meeting protested the filing of the case and demanded withdrawal of all false cases.
The meeting also demanded release of all political prisoners including elderly leader MK Anwar, MA Mannan and journalists Shawkat Mahmud and Mahmudur Rahman.
Nazrul Islam Khan, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Fazlul Haque Milon, among others, were present on the occasion. – Staff Reporter
