Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has long been active in the grassroots politics of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), where he is regarded by many party activists as a soft-spoken, patient and responsible leader. From street-level political movements and protests to implementing party programmes, managing organisational activities at the central office and maintaining regular contact with party workers, Rizvi has remained actively involved in the party’s affairs for years.
His appointment as the BNP’s acting Secretary General has reportedly generated a positive response among grassroots leaders and activists. Many party workers say they have found Rizvi consistently present in the field during difficult political times. As a result, they have welcomed his new responsibility, describing him as a leader who understands grassroots realities and maintains close ties with party activists.
According to BNP leaders and workers at different levels, Rizvi’s new responsibility is not merely an organisational appointment but also recognition of his long-standing role in the field and his contribution to the party’s organisational activities. They believe his extensive involvement with party programmes will help strengthen coordination between the central leadership and grassroots activists.
A BNP activist in Nayapaltan, Masum, said, “Ruhul Kabir Rizvi is a grassroots leader. A leader who has remained in the field has now been given the responsibility of leading the workers in the field.”
He said Rizvi had remained close to party leaders and activists during difficult political periods. According to Masum, Rizvi maintained communication with workers not only during political crises but also in their personal times of difficulty.
Masum said many BNP leaders and activists had faced various challenges over the past 16 years due to the country’s political circumstances. During this period, Rizvi was regularly seen participating in party programmes, he said. His appointment as acting Secretary General has therefore generated enthusiasm among grassroots activists, Masum added.
Emam Jafar, a former student leader and former vice-president of Barisal BM College, described the decision as timely. According to him, the party leadership has entrusted an important organisational responsibility to a leader who has long been tested through political activities and has remained committed to the party.
Jafar said Rizvi had established himself as an experienced political leader while also maintaining close relations with party leaders and workers. In his view, Rizvi’s appointment represents recognition of an experienced and worker-friendly leader. At the same time, grassroots activists have gained an opportunity to remain more closely connected with a leader they consider one of their own.
Am inul Islam, a BNP activist from Rangpur, said the decision to appoint Rizvi as acting Secretary General was positive for both the party and its workers. He believes the appointment could create an opportunity to make the party’s organisational activities more dynamic. He also expressed his appreciation to BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman for the decision.
Shawkat Hossain, a BNP activist from Rajshahi, said the party has many experienced and tested leaders, but it is difficult to find someone as closely connected with grassroots activists as Rizvi. According to him, Rizvi has consistently given importance to party activities and maintaining communication with workers. Many grassroots activists therefore believe he can play an effective role in strengthening the party’s organisational structure.
Similar reactions have reportedly been found among BNP leaders and activists in several districts, including Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali and Dinajpur. Party activists in different areas have also organised congratulatory programmes and processions following Rizvi’s appointment. Leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organisations in Gaibandha and Chattogram North, among other areas, have reportedly expressed their support and congratulated him.
Grassroots activists believe that a Secretary General or acting Secretary General needs not only organisational skills but also first-hand knowledge of political realities at the grassroots level. Listening to workers, maintaining regular communication with them and effectively implementing party decisions at the field level are considered important qualities for the position.
They believe Rizvi’s long experience in grassroots politics has given him a practical understanding of these issues. His ability to communicate directly with activists, they say, could help reduce the distance between the party’s central leadership and its grassroots.
Party workers also point to Rizvi’s personality as one of his strengths. They describe him as soft-spoken, patient and responsible. Despite political challenges, he has continued to remain involved in party activities and maintain communication with activists. Many grassroots workers are therefore hopeful that his leadership will contribute to strengthening the party organisationally.
However, Rizvi also faces several challenges in his new role. Among the key tasks will be translating the expectations of grassroots activists into organisational strength, strengthening coordination between the central leadership and the field-level organisation, maintaining party discipline and ensuring unity among leaders and workers.
Rizvi’s leadership will also be tested by the need to balance the expectations of grassroots activists with the broader organisational priorities of the party. His long experience in the field may prove valuable in addressing these challenges, but the effectiveness of his leadership will ultimately depend on how successfully he can turn that experience into stronger organisational coordination.
Political observers say a leader’s popularity becomes an organisational asset only when it is effectively channelled into maintaining discipline, strengthening unity and improving organisational performance. From that perspective, Rizvi’s new role presents both significant opportunities and major responsibilities.
Overall, Rizvi’s appointment as the BNP’s acting Secretary General has created new expectations among the party’s grassroots leaders and activists. His long experience in grassroots politics, active involvement in organisational affairs and direct communication with party workers have led many to hope that he will be able to build a stronger bridge between the BNP’s central leadership and its grassroots base.
For many party activists, the appointment represents not only a new responsibility for Rizvi but also an opportunity for the BNP to further strengthen its organisational structure by drawing on the experience of a leader who has spent years at the forefront of its political activities.