MEHERPUR, Nov 9: BNP's internal conflict over nominations in Meherpur has now become public. Since the announcement of the party candidates, the conflict has intensified in both constituencies, which has now affected even the grassroots leaders and activists.
The protests and agitation have spread in the two constituencies since the party nominations of former MP Masud Arun in Meherpur-1 Constituency and former MP Amjad Hossain in Meherpur-2 (Gangni) Constituency were announced. In various meetings held earlier, local leaders had promised that whoever gets the party nomination, everyone will work unitedly for the 'Paddy Sheaf'. But that promise did not materialise after the announcement of the party nominations.
On December 13 last year, Javed Masud Milton was appointed as the convener and Advocate Kamrul Hasan as the member secretary of District BNP. The dispute started after the formation of the committee by making Kamrul Hasan the member secretary. In Meherpur Sadar constituency, the District BNP Member Secretary Adv. Kamrul Hasan's group held a protest march and road meeting on Wednesday night, and the women's group held a protest march last Thursday night.
Sadar Upazila BNP President Faiz Mohammad, Pouro BNP President Latib Biswas and General Secretary Ehan Uddin spoke at the protest meeting along with Kamrul Hasan.
The protest demanded that BNP's defeat in Meherpur constituency is certain if the nomination is not reconsidered. They openly opposed the party's nominated candidate Masud Arun.
Masud Arun, who received the nomination, has already started mass communication in favour of 'Paddy Sheaf'. Under his leadership, the workers are campaigning in villages and towns. Masud Arun said that there may be anger over not getting the party nomination. But it will be okay. However, informed sources say that since the Adhoc committee was formed from the Centre, Masud Arun has held many protests and rallies against the central decision and has not respected the central decision.
Jamaat candidate Maulana Tajuddin Khan, along with his leaders and activists, in the same constituency (Meherpur-1), has already been active in favour of the party symbol. His posters and banners with symbols have spread the election atmosphere across the walls in various places in the city and upazila.
The dispute between the former MP Amjad Hossain faction, who was nominated in the Meherpur-2 (Gangni) constituency, and the faction of District BNP President Javed Masud Milton has reached an extreme level. On Tuesday, there were clashes, chases, arson and vandalism between the two factions. Not only the top level, but also grassroots leaders and activists have been divided in this conflict. Many have stopped working in the field. Some have taken a neutral stance.
Centring the risen situation a joint meeting was held on Thursday last at the Gangni office of Meherpur District BNP President Javed Masud Milton.
The joint meeting held under the chairmanship of Gangni Upazila BNP President Alfaz Uddin Kalu was addressed by former upazila BNP President Rezaul Haque, Upazila BNP General Secretary Abdul Awal, District BNP Organizing Secretary Akheruzzaman, Gangni Upazila BNP Organizing Secretary Abdal Haque, District Jubo Dal General Secretary Kawsar Ali, and District Women BNP General Secretary Laila Arjuman Banu, among others. At the meeting, it was announced that they would hold a peaceful programme for the next 20 days demanding the cancellation of the party nomination given to Amjad Hossain. They said that they cannot accept a leader who has left the field of politics for 16 years and has not maintained any contact with leaders and workers.
Jamaat candidate Nazmul Huda from Gangni constituency (Meherpur-2) is also spending a busy time campaigning.
As a result, the campaign of the two heavyweight candidates of BNP and Jamaat in the constituency has added a new dimension to the rivalry.
