The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

In a dramatic move, the reformist faction of the BNP yesterday took control of the Naya paltan party headquarters after over a 10-month closure since the declaration of state of emergency in the country on January 11.

Party sources said Dhaka city BNP President and Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka and General Secretary Abdus Salam unlocked the office at about 10:20 am amidst tight security.

Law enforcers created a security net in and around the BNP office to avert untoward incidents, apprehending brawl between the activists of the reformist and anti-reform faction of the party.

Acting Secretary General of BNP Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed entered the office at about 10:50 am while Acting Chairperson M Saifur Rahman arrived at the office at about 11:35am.

Some other pro-reform BNP leaders also attended the office, in a radically changed situation. They include BNP Chairperson's advisors Mofazzal Karim, ZA Khan and MA Hakim, former MPs S A Sultan, Shah Abul Hossain, Delwar Hossain Dulu, Dr. Ziaul Haq Mollah, Abdul Alim, Reza Ahmed Bachchu, Fazlul Azim, Ataur Rahman Angur and Tasnim Rana.

Entering the party office, M Saifur Rahman told journalists that they did not occupy it. "We have come to our own office for work here-we are only doing our duties in the absence of Khaleda Zia."

The former Finance Minister vowed to sacrifice his life for the party, saying, "I want to die as a member of the BNP."

Hundreds of party leaders and workers from both the factions of the immediate-past ruling party thronged the party central office premises from morning as huge police guards were deployed in the area to avoid any untoward incident.

The anti-reform faithfuls chanted slogans against the reformists in front of the office and demanded immediate release of the BNP Chairperson, arrested and detained amid a political purge launched against the backdrop of the recent political crisis.

Police chased the protestors off the BNP central office area. They arrested Jubo Dal leader Kuddus Khan, organizing secretary of Mohammadpur thana unit of the party youth front, in front of the office as he chanted slogans against the Saifur-Hafiz duo and demanded Khaleda's release.

Though the government relaxed ban on indoor politics in the capital from September 10 on a limited scale, BNP was not allowed to reopen its central office because of conflict between the Khaleda-loyalists led by Khandaker Delwar Hossain and the reformists led by expelled secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan.

Several hundred supporters of the dissident group, with red headband, gathered in and around the office as the leaders took their designated seats.

"You see, this seat is not mine. It's party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia's seat. I'll leave this chair as and when she comes back," Saifur said as he assumed the party's number-one seat.

Security was reinforced with huge contingents of helmeted and plainclothes police in the entire area from Bijoynagar to Fakirerpool in view of the tensions triggered by the protests.

Traffic through the downtown area halted for some time during the BNP office reopening and the short spell of demonstrations.

Meanhile, anti-reformist office secretary Rizvee Ahmed at a press confernce alleged that police unlocked BNP office and handed over to reformists as part of a conspiracy.

None can weaken BNP by such conspiracy, leaders and activists of BNP are united under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia.