Tarique to meet Chattogram grassroots BNP leaders for first time as PM
He will hold a two-hour organisational meeting with leaders and activists of the party’s metropolitan, north and south district units, along with 11 affiliated and associate bodies.
Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will meet Chattogram's grassroots leaders and activists tonight (9 August), marking his first such interaction with the party's grassroots since he took office.
The organisational meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:15pm at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Chattogram and is expected to continue for around two hours.
Nazimur Rahman, general secretary of Chattogram Metropolitan BNP, told TBS that the meeting was planned in line with the prime minister's schedule.
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"Initially, there has been discussion about holding the meeting in a hall at the Radisson Blu. Designated leaders and activists from Chattogram's three organisational units will attend," he said.
He also said party leaders and activists were interested in meeting and exchanging views with the prime minister, adding that participation would be allowed according to designated guidelines.
According to party leaders, the meeting is politically and organisationally important as Tarique Rahman will have an opportunity to hear from grassroots leaders after taking charge of running the government.
Discussions may focus on the party's organisational activities, problems at the local level and future programmes, they said.
Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, BNP's Chattogram divisional joint organising secretary and state minister for land and Chattogram Hill Tracts affairs, said the party chairman considers grassroots leaders and activists the "lifeblood" of the organisation.
"That is why direct interaction with them has been given importance during his Chattogram visit," he told reporters.
He further mentioned that Tarique Rahman will speak directly with grassroots leaders and activists from Chattogram's three organisational units -- metropolitan, north and south district BNP -- as well as 11 affiliated and associate bodies.
"The leaders and activists will also have the opportunity to speak with the prime minister," he added.
According to party sources, participants will get an opportunity to raise issues concerning Chattogram's organisational situation, grassroots-level problems, party activities and future programmes with the BNP chairman. Central directives and organisational discipline may also come up for discussion.
Party leaders said such a direct exchange with the chairman would be an important organisational event for Chattogram BNP after a long time. They said it could help reduce the gap between grassroots leaders and the central leadership and improve coordination of party activities in Chattogram.
