Leaders and workers of the city unit of BNP are apparently getting frustrated that the party high command is yet to take any effective initiative about formation of a unit committee while Dhaka City Corporation election is nearing.
They fear that the party might be in rough waters if the DCC election takes place with the city BNP virtually split into two factions led by Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka and former mayor Mirza Abbas.
The BNP leadership could not announce formation of city unit committee in the last two years due to factional feuds within the unit.
Meanwhile, an election commission official said the DCC election might be held within two to three months.
On Thursday, in a joint meeting at the BNP central office party leaders urged the secretary general to announce the city committee without further delay.
In reply Delwar Hossain said they would take decision in this regard soon.
In a related development, the release of Mirza Abbas from jail has also created hopes among many of the party men that the city unit will have a committee now.
Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia had said earlier the issue would be settled after the release of Mirza Abbas.
A number of DCC ward councillors, who are active in city-based BNP politics, however said it will be tough to contest the election if it is held in December as there have been no organisational activities in the city due to lack of a unit committee for long.
Expressing similar views, BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman said the delay in forming city unit committee would have an adverse effect on the party if the city corporation election is held by the end of this year.
“We have discussed the issue several times and brought it to our chairperson's attention. She will take the decision in time,” he told this correspondent.
Contacted, DCC Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka however said the party is strong enough in the city, and it does not matter whether any unit committee is being formed or not.
“The issue has already been discussed by the standing committee, and I hope the party high-ups will take necessary decision in time,” said Khoka, also a BNP vice- chairman.
Khaleda Zia's repeated initiatives in the past failed to resolve the city committee issue due to feuds between Khoka and Abbas.
BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain dissolved the city committee on June 4, 2008.