The frustration arising from the burden of lawsuits and the failure of the movement has made a large section of grassroots leaders inactive. But there was an opportunity for party leaders to make a comeback by winning the upazila elections, where the party has a strong vote bank.
BNP is boycotting local government elections from 2021. The party, which has been out of power for 17 years, now has no representation at any level of local government. This factor has also contributed to the organizational weakness of the party at the grassroots level. This organizational weakness is also seen as a reason behind the failure of the BNP's anti-government movement. Some party leaders accept this situation.
However, if the list of leaders expelled from the party grows, the grassroots roots of BNP will further weaken. Some of the BNP leadership also have the same sentiments. Still, the top leadership of BNP is adamant on a tough stance.
Former election commissioner Sakhawat Hussain believes that both the Awami League and BNP may have to pay the price politically in the long run due to their stance in the upazila elections.
*This report appeared on the print and online editions of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten in English by Ghalib Ashraf
