Former lawmaker declared 'unwanted' in Shailkupa

The declaration was made at a party rally held at Chourongi in the upazila headquarters Friday evening.

With Shailkupa Pourasabha BNP President Shamsuzzaman Panna in the chair, the rally was addressed by, among others, Sailkupa municipality chairman and senior vice- president of upazila BNP Khalilur Rahman and party leader Keramat Ali, Jubo Dal President Monirul Islam, general secretary Amirul Islam, Jatiyotabadi Chattra Dal (JCD) General Secretary Abu Zahid Chowdhury, organising secretary Mamunur Rahman, Shechhashebok Dal President Fazlur Rahman and all municipal commissioners.

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When contracted over cell phone, Khalilur Rahman said, "We have declared Abdul Wahab unwanted in the upazila in greater interest of the party."

The former lawmaker could not be reached for his comments despite repeated attempts.

Party sources said, even at union level, leaders and activists of BNP are split into two groups over supremacy in the area. The rival factions are backed by former Abdul Wahab and Khalilur Rahman.

The internal feud in the party grew in June last year as two rival factions clashed over establishment of supremacy.

At least seven incidents of clash took place between rival groups in last several months, according to party insiders.

The in-fighting intensified on March 3, when Wahab's supporters prevented Khalil's men from buying tender schedules for leasing local hats and bazaars, resulting in a clash.