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the opportunity to work in the organisations,” he added.

As part of the process, top leaders of the affiliated bodies have already started holding meetings at the party’s Nayapaltan central office to discuss how to usher in new leadership, party insiders said.

Meanwhile, aspirants for different posts have begun lobbying, with many submitting their profiles to senior policymakers and contacting influential figures within the party and the government.

Party leaders said the new committees would try to strike a balance between experienced organisers and younger leaders for active leadership in their grassroots and sectoral wings.

The overlap between party and government responsibilities is also visible in the BNP’s metropolitan units.

Dhaka Metropolitan North BNP convener Aminul Haque is now a state minister, while Dhaka Metropolitan South BNP convener Rafiqul Alam is serving as an MP.

Moreover, many committees have also been functioning long after their terms expired.

For instance, Mohila Dal’s committee, formed in 2016 for a two-year term, has remained in place for nearly a decade. Muktijoddha Dal and Sramik Dal are being run by committees formed more than a decade ago.

Jubo Dal’s central committee is yet to be expanded to its full structure more than a year after it was partially constituted and announced on July 9, 2024.

The Chhatra Dal central committee expired on March 1 this year.

Party leaders said restructuring of these affiliated bodies is being prioritised before the BNP holds its national council, the party’s highest policymaking forum, expected later this year.

The BNP last held its national council on March 19, 2016.

While the council is supposed to be held every three years as per the party constitution, party leaders said it could not be held in the past 17 years due to political, legal, and organisational constraints during the previous Awami League government.

The BNP high command now aims to hold the council after completing the restructuring of its affiliated bodies, they added.

Sources said discussions are also underway over possible leadership changes in several bodies, including Swechchhasebak Dal, prioritising candidates’ organisational experience, educational background and proven involvement in party activities.