SQ Chowdhury's release widens Ctg BNP rift
Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, Morshed Khan, Abdullah Al Noman
Following release of BNP leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, internal feud in the city and Chittagong (North) district units of BNP now seem to intensify.
Rivalry between the city BNP faction loyal to SQ Chowhdury and BNP convening committee that existed since long became more evident when SQ Chowdhury's son Hummam Quader Chowdhury staged a showdown at city BNP office a few days back.
Even after withdrawal of the ban on indoor politics, there was little activities in local BNP as all the four leaders of city BNP convening committee convener Syed Wahidul Alam and members Abdullah Al Noman, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and M Morshed Khan went abroad immediately after declaration of emergency in January last year while SQ Chowdhury had been detained since February 3 last year.
Supporters of SQ Chowdhury are now preparing to gear up activities in the city taking with them former city BNP general secretary and present LDP leader Ekramul Kairm Chowdhury.
However, the other leaders of Chittagong city BNP and those in the convening committee could hardly accept return of Ekramul Karim who kept himself aloof when the party was in crisis here, said party insiders.
With the release of SQ Chowdhury, BNP leaders and cadres are up to spread their influence in Chittagong (North) district unit of BNP in Rangunia, Raozan and Hathazari upazilas.
SQ Chowdhury was released on Friday after obtaining bails in all of six cases five filed for extortion and looting in Rangunia upazila in Chittagong and the other filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission for amassing illegal wealth and hiding information in wealth statement.
SQ Chowdhury reached Rangunia in Chittagong last night.
However, the organisation here seemed divided into 'mainstream' and 'reformist' groups as two factions of Chittagong city BNP yesterday organized separate meetings and special prayers for early recovery of Tarique Rahman and other ailing BNP leaders after the Jum'a prayers yesterday.
The leaders and activists of Chittagong city unit of BNP and its front organisations participated at the meeting and special prayer held at Nasiman Bhaban party office and an adjoining mosque. AM Nazim Uddin, Advocate Abdus Sattar, Sabur Khan and Dr Shahadat Hossain were present at the meeting, among others.
The other meeting and special prayer was organised by Syed Wahidul Alam at Jamiatul Falah National Mosque at Dampara. City BNP leader Kazi Akber, and Jubo Dal leader Kazi Belel accompanied Wahidul there.
Meanwhile, plaintiffs of the five extortion cases -- Musa Sawdagar, Md Jahangir Alam Talukder, Md Jasim Uddin, Hazi Md Raza Mia and Md Ilias, have been facing threats and pressure for withdrawal of the cases since the release of SQ Chowdhury appeared imminent.
Comments