BNP's split a matter of time

A split in BNP is now a matter of time, said two ministers yesterday, four days after BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was convicted in a graft case.

The ministers made the remarks as BNP leaders, after the conviction, have been speculating that the government might try to split BNP and the 20-party alliance led by BNP.

Before landing in jail, Khaleda several times focused on unity in her party and the alliance at any cost ahead of the next general elections.

Meanwhile, the BNP recently amended its charter by dropping its Article 7 that barred a convicted person from staying in a committee of the party.

Khaleda's son Tarique Rahman, who was also convicted in the case and now in London, was made BNP's acting chairman in her absence.

Later, the Awami League leaders started criticising BNP for making a “corrupt” person as its chief.

The ministers said such an amendment has given a corrupt individual a scope to run the party.

Roads, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said, “BNP has amended its constitution overnight to protect the corrupt and convicted. BNP leaders themselves are enough to split the party. No one needs to conspire to do so.”

The minister, also the AL general secretary, was addressing a programme in Cox's Bazar.

Meanwhile, he claimed that Tarique was involved in Wednesday's attack on the Bangladesh High Commission office in London.

The government has taken legal steps against those involved in the attack and is trying to bring them back home.

The government already informed the Interpol of the incident.

At another programme in Dhaka, Food Minister Qamrul Islam said the process of splitting BNP started when it amended its constitution and made Tarique its acting chairman.

He said BNP leaders have been talking against the party's decision of making Tarique its acting chairman.

Qamrul also said the government has no intention to split the BNP.

“Let's see how much time it takes for BNP to split. It is obvious that sensible leaders can't stay with an absconding accused,” he said.