BJP leader's joining flares feud in BNP

From Left: Kazi Anwar Hussain & Takdir Hossain Jasim

His potential rival Takdir Hossain Jasim, upazila BNP secretary and central joint general secretary of its peasant front Krishak Dal, has also sought alliance nomination from the constituency.

Kazi Anwar Hussain was elected from Brahmanbaria-5 (Nabinagar upazila) in 1986, 1988 and 1991 with Jatiya Party (Ershad) ticket. He was a Presidium member of JP. In 2001 election, he was elected with ticket from BJP, a component of four-party alliance.

On December 2, Anwar Hussain along with about 5000 supporters joined BNP in presence of party chairperson Khaleda Zia at Hawa Bhaban.

After his joining, a BNP faction in Nabinagar led by upazila BNP president advocate MA Mannan has sided with Takdir Hossain Jasim, party sources claimed while talking to this correspondent. This faction is opposing Anwar Hossain, they said.

On the other hand, another faction led by Nabinagar upazila BNP secretary Mohammad Malai has sided with newcomer Kazi Anwar Hossain.

None from the faction led by Takdir Hossain Jasim was present at the Hawa Bhaban function, the party sources said.

Jasim's faction has been opposing Anwar Hussain since he left JP and joined BJP before the 2001 polls. After joining the 4-party alliance in 2001, Anwar Hussain formed a upazila committee of four-party alliance.

His rival Jasim also formed another alliance committee there.

Jasim's faction of BNP also declared Anwar Hussain 'unwanted' in Nabinagar.

Some party activists loyal to upazila BNP president MA Mannan alleged that during his tenure as lawmaker, Anwar Hussain did not maintain contact with the local party leaders though he won the 2001 election as an alliance candidate.

"After Anwar's joining BNP, the conflict in four-party alliance has turned into a intra-party feud in BNP in Nabinagar", one of them said.

Mannan's men are opposing Anwar Hussein and working for Takdir Hossain Jasim, they said.

Talking to this correspondent, Mannan said a large section of BNP leaders and activists do not like Anwar because he changed parties only for ticket to become a lawmaker.

On the other hand, party men loyal to upazila BNP secretary Muhammad Malai are working for newcomer Anwar Hossain, sources said. the rival groups are engaged in mudslinging.

While contacted over cell phone, Anwar Hossain admitted that Takdir Hossain Jasim, a 'strong leader of Nabinagar BNP', did not support him.

"BNP high command will decided who will be the fittest candidate from Brahmanbaria-5", Anwar said.