The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is convening an extended meeting today, marking its first such gathering in seven years. 

The meeting, set to begin at 10:00 am on Thursday (February 27), will be held in two sessions, running until late into the night.

The event is taking place at the LD Hall premises of the National Parliament, with all necessary preparations completed to ensure its success. 

According to party insiders, discussions will focus on BNP’s future course of action, including preparations for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections.

The last extended meeting was called by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on February 3, 2018, at the Le Meridien Hotel in Dhaka. Just days later, on February 8, she was imprisoned following a verdict in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.

Today's meeting will be presided over by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, while Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is expected to present an organizational report. 

The primary agenda includes assessing past political movements and formulating a strategic roadmap leading up to the next general elections. 

Party leaders anticipate that speeches from grassroots representatives will provide insights into the political landscape, including the standing and engagement of potential candidates in their respective constituencies.

Presidents, conveners, general secretaries, and member secretaries from BNP’s district, metropolitan, upazila, police station, and municipal units will address the gathering. 

The event will commence with a documentary titled First Bangladesh, Our Last Bangladesh, while a special publication, Astha, has been released to mark the occasion.

Following Tarique Rahman’s inaugural speech in the morning, a closed-door session is scheduled for the afternoon, during which grassroots leaders will deliver their statements. The meeting will conclude with Rahman’s closing remarks.

According to sources at the BNP central office, individuals who received primary nominations in the 2018 elections but were not ultimately selected as candidates have also been invited. 

Additionally, members of the party’s National Standing Committee, National Executive Committee, Chairperson’s Advisory Council, and district committees will be in attendance. 

Leaders from BNP’s 11 associate organizations will also participate, bringing the total number of attendees to approximately 3,500 from across the country.

BDST: 1020 HRS, FEB 27, 202
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