Rift in Netrakona AL over leadership

One faction is led by former lawmaker Fazlur Rahaman Khan, also a former president of Netrakona district AL. Former chairman of Netrakona Pourasava Matiur Rahaman Khan, convener of Netrakona Juba league Omar Faruk, president of Netrakona district Krishok League Keshob Ranjan Sarker and president of Netrakona district Chatra league Majibur Rahaman Hira are with him, party sources said.

They opened a separate party office at Fazlur Rahaman's chamber at Mukterpara in the town recently and are holding separate programmes.

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The other faction is led by district AL President Shamsuzzoha, along with former lawmaker Jalaluddin Talukder, district AL Secretary Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru and Joint Secretary Nur Khan Mitu.

AL workers and supporters in the district town and in 10 upazilas are frustrated over the rift in the party's district leadership, the sources said.

The conflict surfaced during the last general election when Shamsuzzoha had urged the party central leaders not to nominate Fazlur Rahaman Khan, who was a lawmaker at that time.

The party nominated Abdul Momin, thinking that he would be acceptable to all.

The conflict intensified during last district council of the party held on January 27 last year, when Fazlur Rahaman Khan lost to Shamsuzzoha in the race for the post of president of the district unit.

The rival groups are in a stand-off situation now, which may lead to clashes any time, many leaders and activists said while talking to told this correspondent.

When contacted, Shamsuzzoha and Khasru said they were elected by councilors and so enjoy support of the party rank and file.

"They (Fazlur Rahaman group) are conspiring against the party" Shamsuzzoha alleged.

Fazlur Rahaman Khan said they opened a new office and holding separate programmes because many of the leaders and workers do not like Shamsuzzoha and Khasru.