Bangladesh News

The ruling BNP has begun to take action against its dissident leaders in different districts to resolve intra-party conflicts ahead of the next general election scheduled to be held in January.

The party leadership has already suspended two leaders and served show cause notices on at least 10 others in different districts for their anti-party activities.

Besides, it has dissolved Satkhira district committee of the party for internal conflict, and a district committee issued show cause notice against five thana level leaders for opposing a Jamaat-e-Islami leader as prospective ruling four-party alliance candidate in the next election, BNP sources said.

“We have identified at least 30 party leaders across the country who are trying to create problem for incumbent lawmakers, and possible coalition candidate in the next election. Some of them have already been issued show cause notice, and final decision about them will be taken after getting their reply,” a top BNP leader said, wishing anonymity.

Earlier, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the BNP at its August 26 meeting decided to take action against anybody breaking the party discipline. At the meeting chaired by party Chairperson and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, several leaders demanded immediate action against the party’s rebellious leaders at all levels.

Meanwhile, the BNP chief received allegations from several grassroots level party leaders against lawmakers and ministers during the exchange of views meetings in last two months.

These leaders even expressed their grievances while talking to the media after the meetings, and the BNP high command is considering this as anti-party activity.

Sirajganj district BNP General Secretary Humayun Kabir has already replied to the show cause notice for his comments to the media after an exchange of views meeting with the party chief.

Ohidul Islam, president of Chuadanga BNP has been suspended for anti-party activities.

The party unit here is plagued with persisting conflicts between activists loyal to the incumbent and former lawmakers. Former lawmaker and Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal President Shamsuzzaman Dudu did not get nomination in the last election due to intra-party conflicts and he could not even visit the area in the last few years.

A vice president of Gournadi Thana BNP in Barisal has been suspended for complaining against party lawmaker Jahir Uddin Swapan. Besides, a senior party leader in Babuganj-Ujirpur constituency has been suspended as local lawmaker Moazzem Hossain Alal complained against him for opposing him.

Both lawmakers are known to have close links to Hawa Bhaban high-ups including BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman.

BNP Satkhira district committee has been dissolved following complaints from lawmaker Habibul Islam Habib that some leaders of the party were creating a lot of problems for him. These leaders were opposing Habib, who is very close to Hawa Bhaban, as general secretary of the district unit.

Meanwhile, Jessore district BNP President Chowdhury Shahidul Islam Nayan issued showcaused five leaders of Jhikorgachha BNP on instruction of party high-ups for opposing the local four-party alliance lawmaker, who is a Jamaat leader. The five are Jhikorgachha Thana BNP President Jalal Uddin Ahmad, General Secretary Mortaza Elahi Tipu, Organising Secretary Shafiul Azam Rumi, Paurasava unit Secretary Mizanur Rahman and organising secretary Muradunnabi.

Sources said the BNP high ups are planning to take action against the defiant leaders quickly but not at a time to maintain party discipline ahead of the election.