Gono Odhikar Parishad on the verge of fraction

Nearly 20 months into its formation, Bangladesh Gono Odhikar Parishad is facing split as a group, led by Nurul Haque Nur, removed Reza Kibria from the position of convener of the party amid growing conflict in the party’s top leadership, reports UNB.

The followers of former Ducsu Vice Present Nur, member secretary of the party, made Rashed Khan their acting convener, replacing Kibria.

Kibria retaliated by expelling Nur and Rashed from the party.

Nur and his supporters held a meeting of the party central executive committee at its central office on Monday and unanimously nominated Rashed, a joint convenor, for the post of the party convenor levelling various allegations against Reza, said a press release issued by party office coordinator Shakil Uzzaman.

It said the meeting discussed the evolving situation caused by various political activities of Reza Kibria and the current situation of the country alongside the organizational issues.

“Under the emerging situation, the meeting also unanimously nominated the number one joint convener Md Rashed Khan as the convener of the party to conduct its organizational activities in an orderly manner,” the press release said.

A rift in the party‍‍`s top leadership surfaced recently as both Reza and Nur gave posts on their Facebook accounts accusing each other of ‍‍`lack of transparency and lies‍‍` in financial and organizational matters.

Contacted Reza, now in Cambodia, said the problem brewed in their party as he raised questions about party funding and Nur’s reported meeting with various intelligence agencies, including Mossad member Mendi N Safadi.

He said the source of income of Nur and Rashed is not visible and he thinks they lead their life based on extortion.

Besides, he said Nur arrogantly declared himself as the chief of the party’s Probashi Odhikar Parisahd and he visited different countries, including Qatar, to raise funds for the party. “But he did not disclose how much money he raised."

Reza said they held an emergency meeting of the party on Sunday last in Gulshan where he sought an explanation from Nur about financial transparency and accountability and the reasons for communication with various anti-state intelligence agencies. "Later, an unexpected situation arose forcing him to adjourn the meeting."

Following that meeting, he said, Nur and his supporters are trying to split the party.

Reza said 75 percent of party leaders and workers, including the senior ones, are with him.

He said they have already taken a decision to replace Nur and Rashed. 

Later on Tuesday, issuing a press release, Reza relieved Nur and Rashed from the party temporarily serving a show cause notice. 

Replacing Nur, he named Hasan Al Mamun – a quota reformation activist – as member secretary of the party. 

Nur, however, said the allegations brought against him are false and fabricated.

He alleged that Reza brought the allegations to hide his own misdeeds, anti-party activities, and his connections with different intelligence agencies.

On October 26, 2021, Bangladesh Gono Odhikar Parishad was launched with Reza Kibria as its convenor and former Ducsu Vice Present Nurul Haque Nur as member secretary with the motto of restoration of democracy, establishment of justice, rights of people, and saving the national interests.