Reformist Bhuiyan, loyalist Hannan Shah cross swords over council session

FE Team | Published: July 28, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan Friday said they would announce the date for the party's planned council with the permission of chairperson Khaleda Zia, reports UNB.
But BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's adviser ASM Hannan Shah has called upon the party activists to remain united and "not to be misled by the trouble-makers."
Mannan Bhuiyan told reporters at his Gulshan residence, "We'll decide later on, if we don't get her permission,"
Bhuiyan said they are now working for creating opinions among BNP councilors and outside the party in favour of his reform proposals.
"We're working on our reform proposals and also receiving encouraging response," he claimed.
The BNP secretary general reiterated that the council would be convened on completion of all preparations.
However, talking to journalists at his Ghagatiachala village under Kapasia Upazila in Gazipur, ASM Hannan Shah said that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia asked him to spread the message of unity among the party men when he talked to her on phone Thursday.
He said the party would be run as per party constitution and reforms are to be made through council, also as per party constitution.
The BNP chairperson is also in favour of time-befitting reforms in the party, he added.
The BNP leader, released recently from jail, said there is nothing like requisition meeting in the BNP constitution.
"Some people are trying to make political blackmail in the name of requisition," he said, adding, "their ill design will not succeed."
Referring to the changed tone of the pro-reformists in BNP, Hannan Shah said they have been forced to soften their tone realising the situation on the ground.
He claimed that following his release from jail, a large number of party activists from home and abroad had talked to him demanding action against those trying to create indiscipline in the party.
According to political sources, a simmering conflict was persisting among the pro-and anti-reform groups within BNP. Reformists belonging to Bhuiyan group earlier threatened to convene the council by sidetracking Khaleda Zia.
They also indicated that the council might be organised by seeking special permission from the caretaker government if the withdrawal of ban on indoor politics is delayed.
On the contrary, Khaleda Zia, indirectly bringing charges of violating party constitution against the pro-reformists, clearly stated that any reform proposal must be approved by the party council to be called on lifting of restrictions on political activities.
According to bdnews24.com, former lawmakers Nazir Hossain, GM Siraj, Dr Ziaul Haque Mollah, Masud Arun and Shammi Sher, acting president of Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal Mujibur Rahman Mollah and some leaders of Dhaka city BNP met Bhuiyan until midday of Friday.