Dhaka: Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury on Saturday suggested Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia to form her party’s committees in its sixth national council with young leaders dropping the elderly ones to revitalise it.

‘There’ll be no use of increasing the number of members of BNP’s standing committee, central committee and advisory council. The party won’t be benefited by giving elderly persons like me a post in it. You have to induct young people those who can take to the streets with courage. The elderly leaders will support them from behind. Khaleda Zia must understand that,’ he said.

Speaking at a discussion programme, Zafrullah also said BNP will not be able to strengthen its organisational activities by making its chairperson’s Gulshan office vibrant through making hundreds of people as Khaleda’s advisers.

Differing with Zafrullah, BNP joint secretary general M Shahjahan said without guidance and direction of the elderly leaders, young leaders will not be able to achieve the desired goal. 

‘Brother Zafrullah said to bring the young people in the forefront. The youth is main force to achieve any success. But they need proper direction of experienced leaders,’ he said.

Shahjahan said BNP leaders and activists and pro-BNP professionals always criticise party leadership finding out their many mistakes. ‘But, visiting rural areas, I’ve seen common people are not critical of the BNP leadership.’

BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed who was present at the programme was seen supporting Shahjahan by giving claps.

However, Zafrullah was not present at that time as he left the programme concluding his speech.

In his speech, Zafrullah also harshly criticised the government for what he said annihilating democracy in the name of development.

He said corruption has now spread everywhere in the country as it is now under a ‘one-party Baksal’ role. ‘The government is now ruining the country with three state instruments-the police, the Anti Corruption Commission and the Election Commission.’

Referring to the stealing of Tk 800 crore from Bangladesh Bank’s account in the US Federal Reserve Bank, he said the Finance Minister and the central Bank Governor should resign following the incident.