Movement of BNP may fail for four reasons:Daily Sun

 The anti-government movement of BNP may fail due to four reasons such as the feuds between Dhaka city unit’s present convener Mirza Abbas and former convener Sadek Hossain Khoka, fear for cases and arrest, secret understanding with the government and too much dependence on foreigners. We came to know about these four hurdles or crises during discussions with more than one policy making leaders of
the party over the last few days. It is learnt that the thinking of the party’s leaders is dominated more by mutual blames and discord than the issue of movement. Even BNP standing committee members known to be in the helm of the movement tells each other that Khaleda Zia has not given them anything. They also do not refrain from speaking ill of each other. Even the leaders who got cabinet posts twice are heard saying that they were not given due importance or they were not called at the meeting with certain diplomat. In the speech of party second topmost leader Tarique Rahman, now living in London, inclination is more towards controversy over history than guideline for the movement. Alongside, competition among the BNP leaders to get his blessings is also a noticeable matter. When contacted BNP standing committee member Lt. Gen. (retd) Mahbubur Rahman claimed the Abbas-Khoka discord would not influence the movement much. There is enough pressure of the chairperson on both the leaders. He, however, did not agree to say anything about the allegation of understanding with the government. And claiming that in the present global political reality every party has dependence on the foreign countries, this former army chief said BNP’s first issue is movement. The expectation of diplomatic support is secondary. Without the first one, the second one will not be able to produce any effective results. In the opinion of central vice chairman Abdullah Al Noman, the Abbas-Khoka feuds are more in propaganda than in reality. Besides, the movement will be conducted as per the directive of the chairperson. Threat, fear are not anything big there. He dismissed as ‘rumour’ the issue of BNP leaders understanding with the government. Dhaka city unit BNP member Habib-Un Nabi Khan Sohel claimed Abbas-Khoka grouping is not taken into consideration in forming city committee of the party. The leader who can lead the movement is being preferred. He said critical condition of a party coincides with some sort of disbelief among party leaders. It does not mean that somebody will make secret deal with the government. It is true that party leaders are afraid of case and arrest. But they are being sued and persecuted without waging any movement. As such, they would like to take to the street and see its finality. Feud between Abbas and Khoka is like an abscess of BNP. The party is hard hit due to this problem. A competition over getting secretary general post was a source of row in the past. Now faction arises out of two leaders spreading across the grassroots level. Its detrimental effect has fallen upon party chairperson’s office in Gulshan. Supporters of two leaders go to Khaleda Zia and criticise one another. Loyalists of Khoka were vocal prior to formation of Dhaka city committee. But they are silent now. But they are passing days in complacency thinking that Abbas supporters will not succeed in waging movement. On the other hand, activists of Abbas are satisfied with their leader in the helm of party’s Dhaka city command. They are dreaming to oust the government. In fact, both groups are doing nothing more than accusing one another. There are not united on the question of movement. Khoka supporters are being prejudiced by Abbas loyalists. During the tenure of Khoka, the situation was vice versa. Many think the decision of making Abbas head of the committee was great mistake. If any leader other than the above duo had been made head, the problem would be resolved. Sources said some top leaders of BNP are making secret understanding with the government which is now discussed all over the country. It is being told that wealthy leaders of BNP cannot go for movement. Now they are trying to protect their wealth keeping themselves safe and they are maintaining secret contact with the government though they are talking about movement openly. Specially a group of BNP leaders are time to time contacting law enforcement agency personnel for keeping themselves secure. Names of several central leaders of BNP came out besides few influential leaders of City BNP. Requesting anonymity, a leader of BNP told this correspondent that he got information that government is not thinking about the BNP movement. He quoted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as saying in a meeting that they have no problem if they can overcome foreign pressure. Because BNP is now under her control. It is learnt from different sources, confidence for forging movement was not built in BNP though grassroots workers desire for movement. Many top leaders of city and central BNP are fearing cases and police harassment though the workers and leaders are burdened with cases. They feared that government will arrest them again if BNP call anti-government movement in future. Reliable sources said, City BNP postponed December 17 rally sensing the government’s attempt to arrest BNP leaders. A big portion of the party treated the decision taken by BNP is surrender to the government. They informed Khaleda Zia that members of law enforcement agency may hurl bomb in a bid to create mayhem. On the other hand, 70 percent work has been done for constituting full committee of City BNP. The announcement of committee is postponed fearing police move for mass arrest. BNP did not make any protest for unknown reason though it did not get approval for holding meeting at Shurawardi Uddyan on November 8 last. Sources said fear and panic have weakened BNP while there is an example that a top leader of city unit is not sitting at office after assuming chair. He told his close aides that the office may collapse any time as its construction work is very weak. That is why he is performing his party activities from home, sources claimed. The party could not come out from dependence on foreigners though it is deep-rooted idea that it would not be possible to create pressure on the government without street movement in realising the demand of election under neutral government. Rather, instead of taking preparation for movement the leaders are more eager in discussion that the foreigners including the United States and India are favouring which party. Their thinking is such that the foreigners especially US will assist them directly to assume power. The activists are very much keen to know from the leaders whether India will provide its support to BNP. Many of the leaders of the party are overjoyed hearing anti-US speeches by Prime Minister and Syed Ashraful Islam. According to them, US will show its game in time. That means the government will fall in danger while BNP will be benefited; many leaders of BNP are assuming such. However, the stand of foreign diplomats in Dhaka is reverse, reliable sources said. During informal discussions they told the party leaders what is necessary BNP will have to do that. They (diplomats) can only speak if there is any crisis in the country and not more than that. In addition, the diplomats clearly informed about their objection to violent movement. BNP chairperson’s two advisors Dr Osman Faruk and Abdul Awal Mintoo visited India a few days ago to persuade BJP government for playing neutral role. Besides, a number of BNP standing committee members including Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, vice chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, advisor to the BNP chairperson Amir Khahru Mahmud Chowdhury are maintaining relations with different countries. Tarique Rahman is also maintaining contacts with many countries staying in London.