Differences between Tareque and Dr Moyeen Khan proliferate
Disputes over participation in Upazila election
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is in jail in different criminal cases filed after the October 28 mayhem in the capital Dhaka.
Another top brass BNP leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, who is very close to BNP acting chairman Tareque Rahman, is also in prison.
Another BNP influential leader Mirza Abbas is also in jail.
Under the Circumstances, BNP standing committee member Dr Moyeen Khan has emerged visibly as the high-profile prominent leader of one of the major political parties. He is a popular and well-known face in the diplomatic community.
Diplomats from various countries, including the United States, prefer him and usually discuss various political issues with him.
While many BNP senior leaders are in jail, Dr Moyeen Khan is working as acting general secretary of the party unofficially.
He is being made the chief guest in various gatherings and events. He is now the main voice against the government. He is also explaining the political position on behalf of the BNP.
Experiencing his new rise as the second in command of the BNP, many other BNP leaders and their supporters do not take it kindly.
Anti- Moyeen fictions are regularly complaining to Tareque Rahman against Dr Moyeen in various channels, said BNP insiders.
Some BNP sources hinted that disputes between Tareque Rahman and Dr Moyeen Khan is immense regarding the next courses of the party. Tareque Rahman and Dr Moyeen Khan have already showed their differences regarding next strategy of movement.
Dr. Moyeen Khan takes advices from the Western diplomats. He is also expressing his stand against any violent or street agitation at this moment.
He wants to increase public involvement through programs of peaceful gatherings, mass gatherings and indoor discussions and seminar. But Tareque Rahman wants to take massive street programs against the government without any delay.
He wanted a strong movement immediately after the 12th national election.
He is in favour of announcing countrywide hartal, blockades, sieges to create pressure upon the government.
But Dr Moyeen Khan told that Tareque Rahman that considering the current situation, it is not possible for aggressive movement. But Tareque Rahman does not want to give government any more time . He is pressing his fellow leaders for a fresh start to the massive anti- government movement.
He wants to give hartal, blockade program on the maiden the session of the Jatiya Sangshad on January 30.
Tareque also pushing his fellow BNP leaders for implementing his plan of nationwide strike or siege of the secretariat on the same day. But Dr Moyeen Khan said that such a homologous programs would harm BNP, instead of the government. He clearly conveyed his message of Western countries including that of the United States to Tareque Rahman.
Dr Moyeen Khan said now the main goal of the party should be the release of all arrested leaders and activists of the party.
He also advised Tareque Rahman to rejig reconstitute the party before fresh start of massive anti-government agitation.
Thus sharp division has been created between Tareque Rahman and Dr Moyeen Khan.
Many mid level leaders told that due to the increasing division, BNP top leadership is yet to formulate a clear political strategy and policy for the future after the 12th national parliamentary polls.
Lack of consensus among key decision- policy makers is halting the development of a united political approach.
BNP sources said there are four factions within the party.
The most influential faction is being led by Tarique Rahman himself,
This major faction is taking unilateral decisions regarding issuing statements and finalizing event based function of BNP.
The second faction is being led by detained Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
However, this fiction is currently facing hardship.
This faction also wants to maintain a balance between the chairman and the secretary general.
The third faction is being led by former BNP backed parliamentarians and aspirants.
Though not active in the anti- government the movements on the roads, this fiction has an enormous influence within the party.
The fourth faction, consisting of grassroots leaders and activists, was very active in rallies since October 28.
This fourth fiction is being led by Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
BNP sources said this fiction has influence only in the capital Dhaka and the adjourning areas.
Talking to the Bangladesh Post correspondent over phone BNP standing committee member Selina Rahman said, “ We are trying to give programs. We are giving some programs.”
Responding to another question, the former minister said, Definitely there shall be various programs to topple down the current government.”
‘We shall finalise our programs considering each and every situation and reality, she continued.
About the increasing division inside BNP, the senior BNP leader said, “ No, there is no divisions in our party.”
‘Why the question of division arises? We never announce to resist the election. We repeatedly told that we are boycotting the parliamentary polls, she claimed.
We did not went to resist the national polls carrying arms, she said adding that how we shall be able to resist election under the fascist government.
We just urged people not to participate in the polls. You all saw that 90 % people did not cast their votes, she continued.
About BNP’s participation in the upcoming Upazila Parishad election, the top brass BNP policy maker said, “ When the UP polls will come, we shall take the decision.”
Senior joint secretary general of BNP Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed also said, “ There is no disputes in our party BNP”
He clearly denied the intra-party grouping and said, “ We have no such news. So how you got the news of internal disputes of our party.”
‘All leaders and activists of BNP and it’s front organizations are completely united under the leadership of BNP acting chairman Tareque Rahman.”
So it is totally baseless that the internal disputes in BNP have been deepened after the recently held 12th parliamentary elections, said BNP Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, who also works as the BNP spokesman.
Regarding the BNP’s future political program against the present government, the senior BNP leader said, “ We are discussing with our leaders. We are also regularly talking with our like -minded parties and allies to finalise our next course of action demanding the cancelation of the 12th parliamentary election results.”
Replying to another question of participating in the upcoming Upazila election which will be held in March this year, he said, “ BNP has taken the decision of not participating in any election under this government.”
Dr Moyeen Khan could not be reached for his comment, despite several attempts by this correspondent.
