BNP Office Empty After Forming Government!

After nearly two decades, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has formed the government with a majority in parliament. But an unfamiliar scene is now visible at the party’s central office in Nayapaltan.

The once-bustling office appears largely deserted, with officials and staff passing idle hours in the absence of senior leaders and activists. Visits to the office at 11:00am and again at 2:30pm on Sunday revealed near-empty floors and minimal activity.

Tobarak Hossain, a BNP activist from Narayanganj, expressed frustration after finding the office empty. “I came to the party office, but there’s no one here. I went up to the third floor and found it completely vacant. The party has formed the government with a majority. If this is the situation now and leaders forget the address of the Nayapaltan office, where will we go?” he said.

Party office staff confirmed that senior leaders have not been regularly visiting the headquarters since forming the government. One staff member noted, “Previously, at least one leader would be present at some point in the day—morning, afternoon, or evening.”

Another official said that Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, who oversees office affairs, is currently unwell and has not been attending. “After forming the government, leaders have not been coming, and activists are also showing up less. You could say we feel somewhat orphaned,” he remarked, adding that the Secretary General is expected to visit soon.

With the absence of leaders and activists, staff members say their workload has significantly decreased. “There’s no need to keep hot water ready in kettles anymore. No one calls for tea,” one employee said, noting that although Ramadan has begun and staff are fasting, earlier there would still be frequent requests for refreshments.

Security personnel at the office said BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman took oath as Prime Minister on February 17, followed by other leaders being sworn in as ministers and state ministers. While many activists had gathered that day, attendance has since sharply declined.

Kalem Uddin, a flower seller in Shahbag and a BNP supporter, said he has noticed the change. “For the last 16–17 years, I have always seen crowds of leaders and activists at the office. Leaders’ vehicles were regularly parked in front. But over the past few days, it’s been difficult to spot party workers there,” he said.

Repeated attempts to contact Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi for comment went unanswered. A party staff member said he is currently at home and not speaking to anyone.

The unusually quiet atmosphere at the BNP’s central office has raised questions among grassroots supporters about the party’s post-election engagement and internal coordination as it begins its new term in government.

Source: bdnews24