Rift in Magura AL widens

A large number of policemen were deployed to stave off any untoward incident.

One faction held its programmes at the local press club auditorium, which was attended by district AL president Altaf Hossain, general secretary and lawmaker from Magura-1 constituency Prof MS Akbar, senior vice-president Tanzil Hossain Khan, organising secretary Shafiquzzaman Bachchu and joint secretary of Swechchhashebok League Sajedur Rahman Sangram.

The other faction held its programme at the same time at Sayed Ator Ali Public Library auditorium, about 200 yards away.

Former lawmaker from Magura-2 constituency and vice-president of district AL Biren Shikder, joint secretary Abu Nasir Bablu, former upazila chairman Rostam Ali, acting president of Magura poura AL Sirajul Islam, general secretary Md Baki Imam, joint convener of district Jubo League Kamruzzaman Pintu and joint convener of district Swechchhashebak League Rana Amir Osman, among others attended the programmes.

One faction of the party is led by Md. Altaf Hossain and the other by local lawmaker MS Akbar.

Internal feud in the party surfaced in January 2004, when two rival groups clashed during party councils at several upazilas and unions as both wanted their men in leadership at different levels.

At least 14 incidents of clash took place between the two factions in last two years.

Council of district AL was also postponed four times due to internal feud, party sources said.

The long-awaited council was however held in April last year where names of eight persons were announced for eight posts including that of president and general secretary.

The dispute between Altaf and Akbar was temporarily buried after they were made president and general secretary of the district committee.

But their failure to form a full-fledged committee gave rise to another group led by district AL vice-president and former lawmaker Biren Shikder and joint secretary Abu Nasir Bablu.

Party insiders alleged, because of lack of a full-fledged committee is yet to be formed, many dedicated leaders distanced themselves from organisational activities.

By this time, municipality chairman Abdul Gafur who was made joint secretary No. 2 quit AL and joined BNP, alleging indiscipline in the party. The infighting in district AL has spread to its front organistions.

On contact, district AL president Altaf Hossain denied intra-party feud and claimed that vested quarters and agents of 4-party alliance are trying to tarnish the image of the party through holding programmes separately.

But joint-secretary of district AL Abu Nasir Bablu refuting Altaf's allegation said, 'We have been compelled to hold separate programmes as Magura district AL has now been turned into a pocket organisation of some people'. Its general secretary MS Akbar MP is the brother-in-law of Altaf Hossain and organising secretary Shafiquzzaman Bachchu is his (Altaf Hossain) son-in-law.