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Split in BNP surfaces over Delwar factor

Rakib Hasnet Suman
Intra-party conflict has once again gripped BNP leadership dividing the party into two camps over their secretary general’s recent activities, within only two weeks of the chairperson’s release from detention which seemingly held promises of reuniting the fragmented organisation.
The new fissure is over the chairperson appointed Secretary General Delwar Hossain's vehement opposition to party reform demanded by the new electoral law enacted by the military backed caretaker government and prepared by the Election Commission (EC).
Many leaders want to adopt the reforms 'to ensure qualitative change in politics' while some under the influence of Delwar have taken a strategy of opposing anything that comes from the government or the EC.
According to the 'reformist' leaders, followers of Delwar want to get their demand met for either holding the December 18 parliamentary poll under the old law or for suspending the new provisions until the election is over, by keeping the government and the EC under pressure. The party chairperson however already said BNP will participate in the election and in dialogues with the government, and she did not say anything about the new electoral law.
Talking to The Daily Star, some senior leaders and former lawmakers of the party expressed annoyance over forcing party Vice-president MK Anwar on Tuesday to recant his statement that BNP will be registered with the EC and participate in the election accepting the new electoral provisions.
He made the statement after meeting the EC with a party delegation, just to recant it a few hours later.
Just after Anwar's original statement Delwar claimed what he had told reporters had been his personal opinion, and soon Anwar recanted his earlier statement
Party sources said Anwar's announcement rubbed Delwar the wrong way because BNP-led four-party alliance had decided earlier that its leaders would meet soon to take a decision regarding the matter.
"The delegation led by Anwar was sent only to hear the Election Commission's views on the proposals for amending the new electoral law wc had given to the commission during our earlier talk," said a central leader of the party who is also a proponent of Delwar s strategy.
He said Anwar should not have made the announcement without consulting the party secretary general because he was not authorised to make any announcement, and that was why Delwar termed the
announcement as Anwar's personal opinion.
But another senior leader said, "There is no alternative to taking part in the election, and the party's position on the matter should be clear cut," adding that the secretary general’s 'attitude' is creating confusion amo ng the rank and file.
He also said the party opposed all reform proposals during the dialogue with the EC which created a bad impression of the party in the minds of the people, because the public wants to see changes in the body politic and the electoral culture.
Some other party insiders said the secretary general's 'over dependence' on alliance partner Jamaat-e-Islami for finalising any decision, already gave rise to a lot of questions among the rank and file.
A former lawmaker said a very few leaders like Hannan Shah and Ghoyeswer Roy were vocal after the imposition of state of emergency, but even they are now being sidelined because of their criticisms against the secretary general's recent activities.
"The secretary general likes to discuss everything with Jamaat leaders instead of discussing those in party forums, "he said adding, before discussing anything with alliance partners the secretary general should discuss those with his party colleagues first.
On the other hand, followers of Delwar think all leaders should avoid making public statements about party policies since only the secretary general is empowered to make public any party decision.
Delwar himself yesterday told reporters that 'everyone should not make public statements about everything’, only the secretary general should disclose party decisions, and if necessary there is also the chairperson.
Delwar's followers also believe his strategy of opposing the moves of the EC and the government will ultimately bring positive results for the party.
"The people oppose the government’s moves, so his strategy is pro-people, which will be helpful for us in the coming election," a leader close to Delwar said.