DHAKA: Aspirants for the position of Secretary-General in opposition BNP appear to be in a rat race although the party chief has nothing of that sort of change in her mind for now.
A group of leaders in BNP strengthened their efforts in a bid to sideline incumbent secretary-general Khondoker Delwar Hossain, party-insiders said.
But a leader close to Begum Zia said that the party chairperson has no such plan to replace him at the moment.
Delwar told banglanews24.com.bd that he was with the party throughout the critical moments it experienced. “I am trying my best to work for the party yet.”
Potential candidates like Standing Committee members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and ASM Hannan Shah, Senior Joint-secretary General Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir and Joint-secretary Aman Ullah Aman are all aspirants for the position.
Party sources said Mosharraf, Fakhrul and Aman have been very active to succeed Delwar. They are propagating his health conditions as a major issue as well as misdeeds by his son Paban.
Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, who failed to get the post during the last party council, has been lobbying with the party chief. Hannan Shah was also not lagging far behind in the pursuit.
When contacted, Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said, “BNP is going through a tough time and it requires an experienced leader to tackle the situation.”
Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy stands as a prop to the incumbent, Delwar, a veteran politician with a legacy from the once-acclaimed Bhashani political cult, as was also his predecessor, the late Mannan Bhuiyan.
Sources said both Fakhrul and Aman have been maintaining contacts with Tarique Rahman, son of Khaleda Zia and a senior party leader, now in London.
Fakhrul paid several visits to London to meet Tarique since the last party council, said a source, as the northerner shot into prominence and was tipped before the council as next secretary-general.
“I do not know anything of the changeover. Party’s Chairperson will take the final decision in this regard,” Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said.
Aman, with several cases pending against him, is believed to be a strong contender for the coveted position as he also maintains the lobby with Tarique.
BNP stalwarts like Sadek Hossain Khoka, Shamser Mobin Chowdhury and Amir Khasru Mahammud Chowdhury are not interested to compete for the post. However, they stand united against Delwar for his physical ailments.
Delwar, however, is favoured by Standing Committee member Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and Tariqul Islam.
BDST: 1719 HRS, AUGUST 28, 2010.
