My priority to maintain close contacts with party leaders, workers

BNP’s newly appointed Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, also a Standing Committee member, has described leading the country’s largest political party in his new capacity as both a matter of pride and a major responsibility.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer at his Dhanmondi residence on Saturday, Rizvi said that his foremost challenge would be to discharge the responsibility entrusted to him with sincerity and efficiency, while maintaining close contact with grassroots leaders and activists. Rizvi was appointed Acting Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) after Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stepped down from the post following his election as President.

Daily Observer: How do you feel after being given the responsibility of Acting Secretary General of BNP?
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi: Being entrusted with the responsibility of Acting Secretary General of Bangladesh's largest political party is undoubtedly a matter of great pride and joy. However, receiving the responsibility is not the most important thing; the real challenge is to carry it out properly and effectively. I pray to Almighty Allah for the courage and strength necessary to fulfil this responsibility with sincerity.

DO: What will be your main challenge in carrying out this new responsibility?
Rizvi: My foremost challenge will be to discharge this important responsibility properly. Previously, I served as Senior Joint Secretary General, and now I am a member of the Standing Committee. I also serve as an adviser to the head of government.
I will fulfil whatever role is required of me in my government responsibilities while also maintaining close communication with party leaders and activists. I will make every effort to ensure that grassroots leaders and activists who come to meet me do not have to return without being heard.

DO: What kind of cooperation do you expect from party leaders and activists?
Rizvi: Holding a leadership position alone is not enough. I will always remain conscious of whether I am properly fulfilling the important responsibility entrusted to me. I want to successfully carry out the tasks assigned by the party chairman with the support and cooperation of my colleagues.

DO: What will be your main organisational priorities?
Rizvi: Keeping the party disciplined and strengthening its organisational activities will be among my main priorities. We will also attach importance to constructive criticism from opposition parties.
History shows that when a political party comes to power, its organisational activities sometimes weaken. We will ensure that this does not happen in the case of BNP. Under the guidance of our party chairman, Tarique Rahman, organisational activities will be further strengthened.

DO: What initiatives are being taken to strengthen the grassroots organisation?
Rizvi: The party is being reorganised in a new and more effective manner ahead of the upcoming local government elections. The party chairman is regularly holding meetings with local leaders and providing necessary guidance.
We will make every effort to strengthen the grassroots organisation more than at any previous time.

DO: What do you consider to be the government's biggest challenge at present?
Rizvi: The government has successfully completed its first six months. At present, the country is facing an energy crisis. Work is underway under the leadership of the Prime Minister to address the situation.
Bangladesh still has significant gas reserves, and efforts will be made to extract and utilise them. At the same time, discussions are being held with several countries, including China and Malaysia, to help resolve the crisis.

DO: How will the balance between government and party activities be maintained?
BNP was elected to power and formed the government. Ministers, state ministers and advisers are all associated with the party. Therefore, there is no inherent difficulty in carrying out government responsibilities while also fulfilling party duties.
Although party activities slowed somewhat during the initial period after the formation of the government, they are now in full swing again. Several days each week, the party chairman meets grassroots leaders and provides necessary organisational guidance.
There have been allegations of extortion, land grabbing and breaches of party discipline against some BNP leaders and activists. 

DO: What is the party's position?
The party's position is absolutely clear. No one will be spared if they engage in extortion, establish unlawful dominance or grab land using the name of the party.
Nearly 2,000 leaders and activists have already faced different forms of organisational punishment for varying periods. Due to the party's strict stance, such allegations have declined significantly.
Anyone involved in unethical activities within BNP will face both organisational and legal action. Party Chairman Tarique Rahman is dealing with these matters very firmly.

DO: What progress has been made in implementing BNP's electoral commitments, including the 31-point programme?
Rizvi: BNP contested the election with the 31-point programme as one of its key commitments. Within six months, several initiatives have already been implemented, including the Family Card, Farmers' Card and the waiver of agricultural loans along with interest.
We hope that the commitments outlined in the 31-point programme will be implemented before the end of the government's tenure.

DO: How does BNP evaluate the July Movement and the mass uprising?
Rizvi: The July Movement was a great mass uprising. It demonstrated that when people genuinely take to the streets, no autocratic regime can survive.
Sheikh Hasina's long-held ambition of remaining in power was shattered by the July Movement. BNP remained active in the movement from beginning to end.

DO: How are the government's relations with opposition parties?
Rizvi: The relationship is excellent. Constructive criticism from opposition parties is being taken seriously, and necessary measures are being adopted where appropriate.

DO: How are BNP's former allies, which stood alongside the party during the previous authoritarian government's rule, being evaluated?
Several leaders of our allied parties are now serving as ministers in the government. Their evaluation, however, is an ongoing process.

DO: How difficult will it be to fill the void left by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir?
Rizvi: Mirza Fakhrul led the party for a long period during an extremely difficult and authoritarian phase. He was arrested several times and has had a significant influence among party leaders and activists.
I hope that we will be able to ensure that no vacuum or gap is created in his absence. I will continue to make every effort in that regard.
There are allegations about the growing presence of 'hybrid' and opportunist elements within BNP. 

DO: What is your view?
Rizvi: When a political party comes to power after a long struggle, opportunists and so-called hybrid elements tend to gather around it. Dedicated leaders and activists must remain united to prevent such people from taking political advantage.
Those who played a role in the movement and suffered during the struggle must remain vigilant so that opportunists cannot misuse the party's name or engage in unethical activities. The party is also alert to this issue.
Some activists complain that dedicated and long-serving party members are not being properly evaluated. How valid is this criticism?
The party chairman is evaluating leaders and activists based on their qualifications and contributions in different ways. Recently, at least 12 BNP leaders from various levels have been appointed to different government bodies, and all of them have experience as grassroots leaders.
Qualified party leaders have also been given responsibilities in various semi-government institutions at district and divisional levels. This process will continue.

DO: What will be BNP's future political strategy?
Rizvi: Our priority will be to retain our current public support while also winning new support. The BNP government is moving forward with what we believe to be the right political strategy.

DO: When will BNP's national council be held?
Rizvi: The date has not yet been finalised. The party's policymaking forum will take a decision and announce it in due course. However, we expect the national council to be held very soon.