‘No changes in new committee’

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia last night dismissed any possibility of changes to the new BNP standing committee despite many frustrated leaders' criticism of the crucial body of the party.

"There is no scope for bringing changes to the committee as Khaleda Zia is firm in her stance ... There may be some appointments to vacant posts by the chairperson," a standing committee member told The Daily Star after the first meeting of the new standing committee.

 Khaleda convened the meeting at her Gulshan office around 9:15pm where 11 members of the 17 were present. Two posts of the 19-member body are yet to be announced.

Meeting sources said those "qualified leaders" who did not get post in the committee might get the vacant posts.

On August 6, BNP announced its fully-fledged executive and standing committees, nearly four and a half months after its national council on March 19.

The meeting sources said they also discussed the Ramapl Power Project and within a few days they would announce a protest programme.  

The meeting also finalised the framework for grassroots bodies, including district, union, upazila, metropolitan units.