BNP factions speak of unity but no practical move in sight
Tuesday, 1 January 2008
Rival factions of former ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) sailing through a rough weather feel the necessity of unity, but no practical initiative is in sight from either side for reunification, reports UNB.
BNP insiders told the news agency that both the factions were engaged in bargaining or blame game for the current disarray in the party.
Following the arrest of BNP Chairperson and ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on September 2, her party has virtually split in two factions.
One faction, known as pro-reformist, is being led by former finance minister and acting chairman of BNP Saifur Rahman, and another faction, known as pro-Khaleda, is being led by former chief whip and BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain.
"BNP's present condition is not good. Those who are supporters of the party want unity. BNP must stand through unity," former secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan told the agency.
Asked about the unity with Awami League (AL), Bhuiyan who was made a member of the party's standing committee by its pro-reformist group said, "We must unite ourselves first."
He said the atmosphere for agitation has not yet been created. "If there is the atmosphere, we'll think of it," he added.
Bhuiyan was optimistic about holding of the general election before December 2008 and expressed satisfaction over the progress of preparing the electoral roll.
Acting BNP secretary general Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed said although they had sent a proposal for unity but they did not get any response from Khondoker Delwar group.
Haifzuddin admitted that he wanted to convene a meeting of the standing committee, the highest policy-making body of the party, but he got response from only three standing committee members - Saifur Rahman, Mannan Bhuiyan and Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman. But five other standing committee members are silent.
He said they would formulate next programmes only after High Court judgment on the Election Commission's decision inviting the Saifur-Hafiz group to join a dialogue on electoral reforms in the first week of January. Earlier, the High Court stayed the decision.
In reply to a question, Hafiz said his faction has made no contact with the Awami League and there is no chance of reaching any political understanding with them.
BNP insiders told the news agency that both the factions were engaged in bargaining or blame game for the current disarray in the party.
Following the arrest of BNP Chairperson and ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on September 2, her party has virtually split in two factions.
One faction, known as pro-reformist, is being led by former finance minister and acting chairman of BNP Saifur Rahman, and another faction, known as pro-Khaleda, is being led by former chief whip and BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain.
"BNP's present condition is not good. Those who are supporters of the party want unity. BNP must stand through unity," former secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan told the agency.
Asked about the unity with Awami League (AL), Bhuiyan who was made a member of the party's standing committee by its pro-reformist group said, "We must unite ourselves first."
He said the atmosphere for agitation has not yet been created. "If there is the atmosphere, we'll think of it," he added.
Bhuiyan was optimistic about holding of the general election before December 2008 and expressed satisfaction over the progress of preparing the electoral roll.
Acting BNP secretary general Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed said although they had sent a proposal for unity but they did not get any response from Khondoker Delwar group.
Haifzuddin admitted that he wanted to convene a meeting of the standing committee, the highest policy-making body of the party, but he got response from only three standing committee members - Saifur Rahman, Mannan Bhuiyan and Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman. But five other standing committee members are silent.
He said they would formulate next programmes only after High Court judgment on the Election Commission's decision inviting the Saifur-Hafiz group to join a dialogue on electoral reforms in the first week of January. Earlier, the High Court stayed the decision.
In reply to a question, Hafiz said his faction has made no contact with the Awami League and there is no chance of reaching any political understanding with them.