The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rafiqul Islam Azad

The pro-reformist faction of BNP led by Saifur-Hafiz faced a setback following the statement of party standing committee member M Saifur Rahman that he is no longer acting chairman of the party rather Begum Zia is the Chairperson of the BNP.

With the statement, the political honeymoon of the reformist faction thus appears to be over. The statement made the pro-reformist leaders, who were in a good mood following the court verdict and Election Commission invitation went in their favour, surprised.

Though they preferred not to make any comment on the statement of former finance minister, however, they expressed their grievances to the veteran leader.

Meanwhile, the leaders of pro-Khaleda faction of BNP welcomed the statement of Saifur Rahman that he made before leaving the capital for Singapore on Wednesday.

The leaders of the faction said the BNP could get united long ago if such statement was made earlier. They observed there would be no impediment in the way on reunification of the unity following the statement.

They hoped that the statement would help play a vital role to unite the party.

There are speculations in the minds of pro-reformist leaders as to they would come forward with which way.

Some senior reformist leaders yesterday communicated with acting secretary general of the pro-reformist faction Maj (Red) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, who now on a visit to his constituency in Bhola over telephone to get the instructions.

Many of them went to former party secretary general and reformist leader Mannan Bhuiyan's Gulshan residence to discuss the development.

The matter was discussed at the policy making level of the faction but no decision was taken till last night.

However, some leaders of the faction hinted that Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman might be given the leadership of the faction in absence of Saifur Rahman.

Maj Hafiz told reporters that he was not aware about the statement of Saifur Rahman since neither he could read newspapers nor watch TV channels for last two days.

"Because of old age, Saifur Rahman might have said that he did not want to mean. Back to Dhaka, I shall express my formal reaction," he commented. Maj Hafiz is due to return Dhaka today.

Sources said the decision of much-talked-about October 29 last year meeting of the reformist faction, in fact, became ineffective following the statement of Saifur Rahman.

Leaders of the pro-Khaleda faction of BNP have been demanding for cancellation of the decision of the meeting that formed the reformist faction led by Saifur Rahman and Major Hafiz.

Secretary general of pro-Khaleda faction Khondoker Delwar Hossain did not prefer to make nay comment on the statement.

"Wait and see. More surprises are there. You will see soon. I do not want say anymore," he observed.

Outspoken leader Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah said he welcome Saifur Rahman for his open statement amid the party leaders and activists of his own constituency.