Hannan-Mannan lock horns as BNP breakup brews

A Bangladeshinfo.com Analysis

Tussle in BNP leadership emerged wide open between the reformists and supporters of dynastic politics as secretary general Mannan Bhuiyan and Chairperson’s Adviser Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah locked horns over party reforms. Political analysts said a simmering conflict persists among the pro and anti-reform groups within BNP. Reformists belonging to Bhuiyan group earlier threatened to convene a summoned council (Talobi Sabha) by sidetracking Khaleda Zia for holding party council to pursue party reforms.

They also indicated that the council might be organized by seeking special permission from the caretaker government if the withdrawal of ban on indoor politics is delayed.

Contradicting the reformists’ posture Hannan Ahah told reporters at his DOHS residence on Saturday: “Council, reforms everything will be done…What the majority will say that’ll happen. There will be no minus-plus formula.

Leaders and workers of the party believe in Khaleda Zia’s leadership and they’ll only accept reform if it’s done under her leadership.”

Hannan Shah Sunday warned that those who were taking unilateral decisions for the party’s reforms would be expelled if they do not correct themselves immediately.

“Those who are taking unilateral decisions for the party’s reforms will have to correct themselves. If they don’t do so immediately, a proposal will be put forward to expel them from the party. And the expulsion process will be completed before the next council,” he said in an informal view-exchange meeting with Sylhet BNP leaders and workers at a local hotel.

On the other hand BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan Friday said they would announce the date for the party’s planned council with the permission of chairperson Khaleda Zia. “We’ll decide later on if we don’t get her permission,” he told reporters at his Gulshan residence.

Ground for the omnipotent breakup brews in the BNP as the ones loyal to Chairperson Khaleda Zia and those campaigning for reforms led by secretary general Mannan Bhuiyan are poles apart over holding a council.

Khaleda has already hinted that she might expel Bhuiyan for what she said was conspiring to split the party.

On the other hand, the pro-reform leaders have said they would resist the former prime minister taking any action against the secretary general. They have rejected the allegations that Khaleda levelled against them during a teleconference with the BNP Australia chapter Saturday.

They also warned the party chief 'not to throw stones living in a house of glass'.

In her latest speech, Khaleda described the ones working towards reforms as betrayers. She said the only agenda of the 'so-called reformists' is to split the party and so they are desperate to hold a council even amid a state of emergency.

Taking a swipe at Bhuiyan, the chairperson said he is not capable of taking the command of the BNP. "He does not even believe in the party's ideology," she quipped.

Asked whether she would expel him, Khaleda said, "Everyone is asking me to do so...let's see."

BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah Saturday claimed that the party leaders and workers still believe in Khaleda Zia’s leadership and they will accept the reform only when it would be carried out under her leadership.

About the reformists’ claim that they have the support of two-thirds of the councilors, Hannan said, “The claim of having the support of two-thirds majority is nothing but a figment of their imagination. If they want to transform it into a plan, I’ve no doubt they’ll fail.”

“Change, addition or reforms whatever will be done that will have to be done with the leader (Chairperson). There is no scope of doing anything without her,” he said.

The Chairperson’s adviser, who was released on bail a few days back, expressed doubt whether the reformists enjoy even one-tenth support of the councilors.

He said as per the party chief’s advice he is making contacts with the party’s district and upazila-level leaders and he was reaching them the messages of the Chairperson.

On Khaleda’s position, Hannan said the Chairperson is facing a little bit more trouble compared to other party chiefs. “Her movement is restricted. In the name of security, no one is allowed to meet her and she cannot go out.”

About the members of the Chairperson’s advisery council, he said they have taken it for granted that Khaleda is going to be eliminated, therefore they’re advising secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan.

Earlier BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan Friday said they would announce the date for the party’s planned council with the permission of chairperson Khaleda Zia.

“We’ll decide later on if we don’t get her permission,” he told reporters at his Gulshan residence.
Bhuiyan said they are now working for mobilizing opinion among BNP councilors and outside the party in favour of his reform proposals.

“We’re working on our reform proposals and also receiving encouraging response,” he claimed.

The BNP secretary general reiterated that the council would be convened on completion of all preparations.

On the contrary, Khaleda Zia, indirectly bringing charges of violating party constitution against the pro-reformists, clearly stated that any reform proposal must be approved by the party council to be called on lifting of restrictions on political activities.

So the conflicting positions and differences emerged wide open between the chairperson and the reformists over party reforms aimed at snubbing her leadership which she won’t tolerate and that might make the party split omnipotent. And it’s just a matter of time when the two fronts would part their ways.