Rajshahi BNP hails move while AL sees sign of row in ruling party

Hena was expelled for his remarks against rise of Islamic militants under the direct patronisation of a section in the ruling alliance.

Local BNP politicians hailed the move terming it 'timely decision', but common people described Hena as a 'brave politician'.

Awami League leader Sarder Amjad Hossain, former AL state minister Prof Zinnatun Nesa Talukhdar, Workers' Party politburo member Fazle Hossain Badsha and City AL General Secretary AHM Khairuzzaman Liton told the expulsion was a sign of 'terrifying row inside BNP over coalition with anti-liberation force --Jamaat'.

They expressed surprise over BNP bid to protect the militants and lawmakers who previously sheltered militants.

They said the incident exposed BNP in a shambles with influences of Jamaat and it would accelerate the fall of ruling alliance.

BNP leader Rajshahi City Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu, BNP lawmaker Nadim Mustafa, District BNP President Azizur Rahman, General Secretary Shish Md welcomed the step saying it was a timely decision of the party high command to maintain discipline.

Sources close to Barrister Aminul Haque, minister for post and telecommunication, told that a number of leading politicians inside BNP and their supporters incited Hena to make the controversial comment before the media.

"Barrister Aminul won the game of expelling Abu Hena as he will get unhindered opportunity to spread his supremacy in local politics. Now Minu will not go against Aminul taking lessons from Hena," said a BNP top-ranking leader on condition of anonymity.

BNP workers in general and common people maintained that Hana, who won Baghmara-Mohonpur constituency for two times, was right.

Many BNP people in Baghmara and Mohonpur took out processions protesting the expulsion in the last two days.

"Though late, Hena uttered the truth which will encourage many conscious politicians to do the right job in this situation", said a Rajshahi University teacher.