Unity call gets louder in BNP
Recognising the need for party unity, the top leaders of both the old guard and the pro-reformists of the BNP are working out their differences.
The party's Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday agreed to consider formal proposal for unity from the reformists while pro-change stalwart Ashraf Hossain said they would continue their efforts to keep the party from falling apart.
"Unity is necessary to make the party strong; we'll consider any formal proposal to that effect," Delwar told reporters at his apartment.
Echoing him, expelled joint secretary general Ashraf Hossain said they will take into consideration any amendment to the draft reform proposal, adding that the proposals were meant for making the party acceptable and democratic.
He, however, again claimed Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan to be the lawful secretary general of the party and hoped that the Election Commission would invite them to its dialogue on electoral reforms.
Meantime, Khandaker Delwar Hossain is rapidly notching up support of senior party leaders and front organisations, seemingly boosting the pro-Khaleda faction.
Some senior leaders, who earlier lurched towards reform initiatives of Mannan Bhuiyan, are now budging from their position due to the changed circumstances, sources said.
The big chunk of party leaders, however, believe that the expulsion of Bhuiyan and Ashraf should be lifted to make the party united and strong because, in their view, the former secretary general is crucial to organising the party in the present situation.
Standing committee member M Shamsul Islam and Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal General Secretary Moazzem Hossain Alal, who both sided with Bhuiyan before, met Delwar yesterday at his apartment where Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah, the BNP chairperson's adviser, was also present.
Earlier another standing committee member Dr RA Gani and Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan expressed their support to Delwar.
Leaders and workers of Narsingdi proper and Belabo unit BNP, Mymensingh unit BNP and some front organisations of the party yesterday pledged their support for the new secretary general.
"Detained Khaleda Zia is the most popular leader whose leadership has made the party stronger. We have to remain alert so that the party does not plunge into confusion. The BNP's unity must remain intact." Delwar said while addressing them.
Stopping short of mentioning the names of the expelled leaders, he said, "Those who are isolated from the people and from the mind of the party leaders and workers will be thrown into the dustbin of history."
People who said the BNP will split into several factions are now trying to unite under Khaleda's leadership, he added.
The BNP secretary general once again urged the government to let them open the party's central office now that indoor politics is open.
Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah criticised the Bhuiyan-led faction, claiming that his leadership has proved futile.
"Blessed by the unseen forces, they wanted to harm the BNP but they failed and retreated," he said adding that their dream will not come true.
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