Saifur-led BNP all set to get EC nod

Saifur Rahman led BNP faction appears to be on course for Election Commission's (EC) invitation that will amount to being recognised as the mainstream of the immediate past ruling party.
Besides the EC invitation to the ongoing talks on electoral reforms, it has been assured of permission to use the party headquarters and election symbol, said insiders.
After getting assurances from influential quarters, senior leaders of the group now believe if everything goes smoothly they might receive the invitation letter sometime next week, said sources close to them.
In a dramatic move last Monday, the standing committee brought about a big shake-up in the party line-up with the expelled secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan led pro-reform faction gaining control over the leadership. It appointed M Saifur Rahman and Hafizuddin Ahmed as acting chairman and acting secretary general of the party.
A high-powered delegation of Saifur-Hafiz-led group yesterday met the EC to inform it about the changes and stake their claim for invitation to the dialogue as the mainstream BNP, added the sources.
It plans to ask the authorities to allow it to use the BNP central office at Naya Paltan soon after receiving the commission's invitation.
The party headquarters have been locked up following disputes between the factions led by Bhuiyan and Khandakar Delwar Hossain, the secretary general appointed by detained chairperson Khaleda Zia but discarded recently by the standing committee.
The one to be invited to the talks would be in a far better position than its rival to register with the EC as the mainstream BNP, thereby having the right to use sheaf of paddy as its symbol in the next parliamentary election, sources added.
Now that pro-reform group holds sway over much of the central level, it wants to mobilise the grassroots level units and front organisations in its favour.
If everything fits in Saifur-Hafiz led group’s scheme of things the faction loyal to Khaleda Zia will have to face a number of major difficulties in registration.
According to the EC's proposed laws, it will have to take a new name and meet certain criteria for registration that is to be made mandatory for a political party seeking to contest the next polls.
The EC's draft proposals say a party lacking representation in any of the previous parliaments must have committees in at least 32 districts with 1,000 members each. Besides, each of those districts will have to have a committee at all its upazilas with at least 200 members.
MEETING WITH EC
The delegation of Saifur led BNP at yesterday's meeting tried to convince Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) TM Shamsul Huda and election commissioners Muhammed Sohul Hussain and M Sakhawat Hussain that they represent the mainstream BNP and deserve invitation to the dialogue slated for November 22.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman said they have confidence in the commission, which they hope would ask them to join the talks taking into consideration the party constitution, laws and overall situation.
CEC Huda however said that the EC would decide on the issue after examining the BNP's constitution and letters submitted by both the factions.
"We will send invitation by November 7," he added.
Earlier on September 5, those siding with Khandaker Delwar Hossain sent a letter to the EC, claiming that they are the real BNP.
On the other hand, Bhuiyan faction in a letter to the EC on September 9 labelled Khaleda's decision to expel Bhuiyan and Ashraf Hossain as a violation of the government restriction on political activities and reiterated its claim to be the main stem.
Saifur's delegation yesterday submitted the resolution of Monday's meeting of the standing committee. The four-member delegation to yesterday's meeting was led by Mahbubur Rahman. The other members were BNP chairperson's two advisers Major Gen (retd) ZA Khan, Mofazzel Karim and former BNP lawmaker Nazir Hossain.
The delegation said they would extend all-out support to the EC in the conduct of a free and fair election.
Mahbubur said they have informed the commission about the latest changes in the party line up so that they can receive the EC's invitation.
"The commission said it would inform us in time after examining the party's constitution," said the former army chief.
In response to a query, he said there is no allegation against the acting chairperson and secretary general. "Those who are speaking against having the new line-up did not even bother to know the resolution of the standing committee's meeting," he observed.
Asked about Delwar's describing the meeting as illegal, Mahbub said they hope he would soon join forces with them in efforts to strengthen the organisation. He said, "The BNP was united, is united and will remain united."
The two election commissioners welcomed the delegation when they arrived at the EC Secretariat.
They however declined to make any comment about the meeting with the Saifur led BNP delegation.
A senior leader who attended the meeting told The Daily Star that they think the EC's attitude towards them is positive.