DHAKA, 26 June 2007 — Reformists in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which ruled the country until late last year, unveiled a plan yesterday to curb the absolute authority of their leader, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
The proposed reforms seek to expel Khaleda’s eldest son and political heir Tareque Rahman, the senior joint secretary-general of the party. Tareque, who is now in prison, faces serious crime and corruption charges.
Announcing the 15-point plan, BNP Secretary-General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan said: “The reforms have become imperative to save politics and democracy from crises caused by failures and lack of foresight by parties and leaders.”
Reformists in the country’s other main party, the Awami League headed by Hasina, another former prime minister, said they would announce similar proposals within days.
Khaleda and Hasina ruled Bangladesh from 1991 until 2006.
The BNP’s reform plan proposed that the party president be elected by a national executive committee for a period of three years and serve not more than two terms. “If the party chief becomes prime minister, he or she would leave the party post immediately,” the proposal said. This would mean Khaleda could no longer become either party chief or prime minister in future.
The BNP reforms, which would also abolish a family cult in the party, are to be finalized at a party council as soon as the interim government lifts its ban on indoor political activity. In a message to the media, Khaleda vowed to contest the proposals.
Under the proposed reforms, the BNP’s finances should be handled jointly by the president, secretary-general and treasurer, and party accounts should be audited each year. Until now, party funds in Bangladesh have been handled by the party chief alone, without any annual audit.
