Showdown by Khulna city BNP factions as rift widens

They have been asked to attend a meeting at 7 pm on August 17 at the official residence of Food Minister Abdullah AL Noman, party sources said here.

The minister who is joint secretary general of central BNP has been assigned by the party high command to resolve disputes regarding organisational matters in Khulna city BNP.

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Noman has asked all the leaders of city BNP to refrain from any organisational activities till holding of the meeting.

Meanwhile, the rift in Khulna city BNP has further widened with formation of some ward committees in absence of its president Nurul Islam MP and secretary Nazrul Islam Manju. Intervention of the Mayor and Ali Asgar Lobi MP in forming ward committees in Sadar and Sonadanga thanas has been termed "extra-constitutional" by leaders and workers loyal to Nurul Islam and Manju.

On Tuesday in the evening, party men loyal to Manju brought out a procession in a showdown against the Mayor and Ali Asgar Lobi, warning them of "serious consequence" for violating party constitution.

The rival groups in city BNP are now at loggerheads. One group is led by Whip Ashraf Hossain, M Nurul Islam and Nazrul Islam Manju and the other by the Mayor and Lobi.

Supporters of the two rival groups are flexing muscles openly against each other following formation of party units at wards in Sadar and Sonadange thanas.

Nurul Islam and Manju briefed top central leaders including Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuigan about the "deep crisis arising out of unwanted intervention" by Tayebur Rahman and Lobi "with a motive to perpetuate the prevailing rift", the sources said.

Asked by this correspondent, however Tayebur refuted the allegation that the rift in city BNP is widening.

"We have been told by the central committee to complete ward committees by August 30 and accordingly work is going on in full swing without waiting for those who are opposing our move", the Mayor said.

On the other hand, Manju blamed some senior leaders for widening of the rift and "ignoring" his "dedicated services".

Nurul Islam could not be contacted as he is in Dhaka.

Some sources said Lobi, elected from Khulna-2 constituency in by-election, is an aspirant for the post of city BNP president.