'Expulsion', 'counter expulsion' disappoint BNP men in Jhenidah
Shahidul Islam and Shahiduzzaman Beltu
Expulsion and counter expulsion of party bigwigs by factions of Jhenidah BNP has left the grass roots level leaders and activists in despair. On September 17, a meeting at Jhenidah district BNP office chaired by Kaliganj Pourasava Mayor Mahbubur Rahman expelled former lawmaker Shahiduzzaman Beltu, also senior vice president of district unit of BNP and president of Kaliganj upazila BNP, and formed a 33-member committee of upazila BNP with Mahbubar Rahman as convenor. Beltu's primary membership of BNP has been cancelled as he sided with the reformist group, said advocate Kazi Alaol Haq Alo, acting president of district BNP. Later on October 7, once 'reformist' Beltu and Shahidul Islam Master, former lawmaker from Jhenidah-3 constituency, called a meeting at Beltu's Nam flat in Dhaka and expelled Moshiur Rahman. Followers of Jhenidah district BNP president and whip former lawmaker Moshiur Rahman held a 'protest meeting' at Jhenidah BNP office on Sunday afternoon. Several influential leaders of local BNP including former lawmaker Shahana Rahman, Jhenidah pourasava mayor and district BNP Vice President Abdul Malek, Vice President Abul Chairman, acting district BNP Secretary Rafukul Islam Montu, and leaders of district Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Sramic Dal and Krishak Dal attended the meeting presided over by acting district BNP President Alaol Haq Alo. They demanded punishment of Shahiduzzaman Beltu and Shahidul Islam Master for their taking side with the reformists during the 'crisis period' of the party. Shahidul Islam Master, who went into hiding after 1/11, has remained absent from his electoral areas since then. Several leaders of BNP and its front organisations have expressed concern over intra-party rift ahead of the parliament election. Acting president of district BNP, Alaol Haq Alo has directed the BNP leaders and activists in Jhenidah to remain united against all conspiracy in the party. Despite several attempts, this correspondent failed to talk to Beltu over cell phone as the connection was cut after each time it rang.
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