Workers want election, 'vested quarters' want selection

Party workers and mid-level leaders expect a 'strong committee' from the council through direct vote of councilors.

But some vested quarters in the party are trying to form the committees without voting to retain their influence, party insiders said.

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The last conference of the two units were held in 1993 when Mazibur Rahaman Sarwar MP, now Mayor of Barisal City Corporation and Dr Nasim Biswas were made president and secretary of the district unit. Nasim Biswas died later and the then First Joint Secretary Ebaidul Haq Chan was made secretary of the district unit.

Ahasan Habib Kamal, the then chairman of Barisal municipality, and Asaduzzaman Khasru were elected president and secretary of Barisal city unit of BNP.

During Barisal City Corporation election held in March this year, Ebaidul Huq Chan and Ahasan Habib Kamal contested in the polls violating a party decision.

BNP mayoral candidate Mazibur Rahaman Sarwar won the election. Chan and Kamal were expelled from the party for violating party decision.

Thereafter, joint secretary of the district unit advocate Nazrul Islam Razon was given the charge of secretary. The city unit committee was dissolved and a convening committee was formed, headed by senior party leader Mahmud Golam Salek.

Party insiders said the party rank and file wants a "strong and dynamic leadership to run party activities in the district.

They also expected that new district and city committees would be formed through councilors' vote.

Mentionably, BNP has divided Barisal into two organizational districts -- Barisal North BNP covering Hizla , Muladi ,Gouranadi, Mehendijong and Augalzhara upazilas; and Barisal South BNP comprising Barisal city, Sadar, Bakerjong, Banaripara, Babujong and Uzirpur upazilas.

Party sources said two councilors from each thana and poura units will elect or nominate executive committee members of the two units.

They said incumbent president of the district committee Mazibur Rahaman Sarwar wants to retain his post. Some senior leaders seeking anonymity said it will not be easy for him.

There are four probable candidates for the post of secretary of the district committee. They are incumbent secretary-in-charge Nazrul Islam Razon, Abul Hossain MP, Moazzem Hossain Alal MP and Azizul huq Akkas, president of Barisal Sadar BNP.

There are two probable candidates for the post of president of the city unit. They are Mahamud Golam Salek and Asaduzzaman Khasru . Kamrul Ahsan Shahin PP, Ali Hayder Babul, Kaisar Biswas may contest for the post of secretary.

The party insiders said the party will suffer in future if the leaders are not elected. In that case, some vested quarters will gain, they said.