Inside the party and outside, nowhere BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is in comfort. Although he virtually discharge the responsibility of secretary general for three and a half years, he has not yet been able to become full secretary general by getting rid of the ‘acting’ charge. In the opinion of many, the main reason for this is his failure to appease party senior vicechairman Tarique Rahman, now living in exile in London. Besides, though there are large supporter groups among the grassroots, member of opponents to him are more at the policy making level. Moreover, at the Gulshan office known as the ‘alternate centre of power’ a few officials are also against him. On the other hand, although he is comparatively a liberal leader, he earns the fury of the government for giving hard-hitting statements against them. The total number of cases against him is 54. Of these 24 have been charge-sheeted. Although there is rumour that a few influential BNP leaders maintain cordial relation with the government for protecting business and wealth, there is no such allegation against Fakhrul. But government party leaders do not fail to tease him as he is a long-time acting secretary of the opposition BNP. Amid such situation, party chairperson Khaleda Zia has expressed annoyance over some of his actions. Taking all these together, Mirza Fakhrul is not in comfort, he is in uneasiness. Mirza Fakrul claimed that he has a good relation with Tarique Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia. And following their advice, he is performing his work. There is no distance and misunderstanding. In reply to a question, Mirza Fakrul said “I have not got the post through lobbying. I will not hold the post if top leader of the party doesn’t wish.” “That act should be done which brings good for the party,” he hoped. Top leaders of the party those who are connected with the Gulshan office said Mirza Fakrul is not feeling good as he is not being capable to perform any work due to hostile attitude of the party leaders at policy making level. Some leaders are making complaints to the BNP chief against him. Standing committee member Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman thinks that Mirza Fakrul is not in a comfortable position anywhere. The way he is passing the days implies it is useless whether he is holding the post as an acting secretary general of the party. Those who are opposing Mirza Fakrul are now spontaneous. The signal is not positive either from Dhaka or London. If the signal is positive then why he had not been relieved off ‘acting’ charge in the last three and half years. Mirza Fakrul got the charge as an acting secretary general in March 2011 after the death of Khandakar Delwar Hossain. From that time he had been playing the role as a spokesman of the party and became popular in civil society and political arena. His acceptability was also created at grassroots level of the party. According to many, Mirza Fakrul, a person of clean image played crucial role in building image at the crisis moment of BNP. That is why he is also like-minded person to the diplomats in Dhaka. There is a widespread discussion that Mirza Fakrul got the position in the central politics of BNP patronised by Tarique Rahman. Mirza Fakrul held the post of senior joint secretary general in a committee that was formed after the national council of the BNP on December 8, 2009 as per the will of Tarique Rahman. As per the party organogram, this post is considered the next to secretary general. So, the secretary general Khandakar Delwar Hossain and his followers started opposing Mirza Fakrul. Many said some of those leaders are making complains to Tarique Rahman against Mirza Fakrul. In addition, some previous officials of Hawa Bhaban along with some devoted followers of Tarique are now in Dhaka. They also try to influence on many issues including chosen posts in the committee. Meanwhile Mirza Fakrul works in the party following the direction of the party chairperson. He went into hiding before the activity of December 29 as per the direction of Khaleda Zia. But his image has been tarnished at home and abroad over this incident. Tarique Rahman also had been aggrieved by such incident. Thus the will of Tarique Rahman and the decision of Khaleda Zia did not match all the time. The followers of Tarique had also been upset with this matter and they rush to Tarique with so many complaints. Sources said despite many discussions and rumours inside or outside of the party, Mirza Fakrul goes to London to meet with Tarique. But Tarique does not say anything clearly. According to a source, Mirza Fakrul went to London a few months ago to meet with Tarique. He mentioned to Tarique that many discussions are being taken place as he had been holding the post of acting secretary general. If there is problem then he should have been removed. In reply, Tarique Rahman said there is no such plan in the party of removing him. But BNP leaders claimed that there is no value of such assurance of Tarique. Because, if his attitude was positive then Mirza Fakrul would have been relieved off within the days. Along with many influential leaders, Tarique Rahman’s support was also to Fakhrul once. Following the councilor in 2009 Khandaker Delwar Hossain remained as secretary general of the party but those leaders tried to make Mirza Fakhrul as the Secretary General. But many things changed in terms of personal privileges and difficulties in the last three and half years. Fakhrul has become a person of aversion to some leaders of Gulshan office. Mirza Fakhrul has good relationship with BNP chairperson’s adviser Sabihuddin Ahmed and Abdul Quaiyum. As these two persons were close to him, their opponent went against Fakhrul eventually. Sources said, although Mirza Fakhrul is very famous in the field level but he is in a very unfavourable condition at this moment. Among the Standing Committee members only Barrister Moudud Ahmed is in his favour. Besides, Sadek Hossain Khoka among the active leaders is in his favour. But recently BNP’s Dhaka Mahanagar committee has gone under control of Mirza Abbas who is known to be against him. Along with Mirza Abbas Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, joint secretary general Barkatullah Bulu, social welfare affairs secretary Abul Khair Bhuiyan, international affairs secretary Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury and many others are opposing Fakhrul for last four years. Following Sadek Hossain Khoka’s illness this part of the party became more integrated, said the sources. Meanwhile, among rest of the standing committee members DR. R A Goni, M Shamsul Islam and MK Anwar are not involved in grouping from the very beginning due to their illness. Dr. Khandoker Mosharraf Hossain is in jail while Barrister Jamir Uddin Sarker and Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mian are not active in any side. Tariqul Islam is busy on Khulna and Jessore politics. Taking advantage of Fakhrul’s uneasiness some joint secretary generals are dreaming of becoming secretary general. As a result, some of them have joined anti Fakhrul group. Since last 36 years almost all secretaries general have created followers group in a bid to establish control over the party. Followers of late Khandoker Delwar Hossain (considered as anti Fakhrul) is still powerful in the party backed by Mirza Abbas and Goyeshar Chandra Roy. Earlier, professor AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, M Saifur Rahman, Oli Ahmed, Khadoker Delwar Hossain, Tariqul Islam, Abdullah Al Noman, Sadek Hossain Khoka had supported the then secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan. That’s why it was not possible to remove Mannan Bhuiyan from his position. But, after being acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul have never worked smoothly due to the several obstacles and never got chance to disseminate posts to his preferred party men. However, due to the political and ideological reasons an anti Fakhrul circle is created in and out of the party. Sources said Fakhrul’s prefers to become friendly with left leaning leaders and civil society rather than conservative leaders. As a result, Fakhrul wants to include Oli Ahmed, B Chowdhury, ASM Rab, Quader Siddique, Mahmudur Rahman Manna and other progressive parties in BNP. But, Jamaat, Hefajat and other islamists parties are against in this particular point. Some party men opined that Fakhrul is quite tensed on twenty party alliance rather than party problems. Besides, there is also dissent among the party leaders over developing relationship with world’s powerful countries. According to the sources, in this particular issue along with a section of party leaders Fakhrul thinks that it is quite impossible to come to power without having good relation with India. Other side thinks that though it is possible to develop relationship with India but it will not bring any positive result. They believe that it is better to search the way to come to power utilizing Islamic minded people. In these strategic and ideological matters, even pro BNP intellectuals are also divided on supporting Mirza Fakhrul. That’s why they could not miss to make allegation against Fakhrul to the party Chief Begum Khaleda Zia.
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