UNB, Dhaka :Though the much-talked-about BNP’s Dhaka City unit committee was announced on Friday night after a long drama, its top leaders were said to have been unhappy over the inclusion of some names and a post in the committee changing the one the party chief approved first.They alleged that BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir together with an influential official of the party chief’s Gulshan office and a senior leader of the Dhaka city unit brought some changes in the committee which Khaleda had approved on Thursday night.They said, the trio managed Khaleda some how and have had some people of their choice included in the committee later on Friday.Fakhrul could not be reached over phone for his comment over the allegations despite repeated attempts.BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the 52-member committee at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office.Mirza Abbas has been made convener of the committee replacing his arch rival and BNP vice chairman Sadeque Hossain Khoka, now in the USA for treatment, while BNP chairperson’s adviser and former FBCCI president Abdul Awal Mintoo number one joint convener of the committee.Habibun Nabi Sohel has been made member secretary of the new convening committee.Party sources said, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Thursday midnight had approved a 31-member new convening body of the Dhaka city unit after a meeting with party senior leaders, including Fakhrul, Abbas and Mintoo. But much to the surprise of the top leaders of the committee it was announced a 52-member committee on Friday night.The top leaders, wishing anonymity, said the committee was to be declared on Thursday midnight, but a vested quarter delayed it and announced it on Friday night after bringing some changes in the party chief’s approved first committee.Some top leaders also raised question as to how Habibun Nabi Sohel has been made member secretary of the committee when there was a decision that there would be no such post in the committee unlike in the past.Mentioning that no political party usually forms any committee with an even number, they said those who brought changes in the committee did not consider it and announced a 52-member body.A Dhaka city unit BNP leader claimed that the changes in the committee were brought for some valid reasons. “The committee has been formed inducting all the necessary leaders to make the unit stronger. No one has any reason to be aggrieved over it,” he claimed.Sources close to Mirza Abbas said the new convener is unhappy as the changes were made without any consultation with him.Abbas was also learned to have expressed displeasure over it when Habibun Nabi Sohel met him in his residence on Saturday.The new convener is expected to talk to the party high command when she will return home after performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia.This correspondent could not reach Abbas over phone for his version although he tried repeatedly.According to the sources, the trio deducted the names of party leader Khairul Kabir Khokan, Jubo Dal leader Abdus Salam Azad, Pallbi BNP leader Nur Alam and Robi from the first approved committee.Contacted, new member secretary of the committee Habibun Nabi Sohel declined to make any comment over the change in the party committee.Sohel said, “BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman has kept confidence in us and given us the responsibility. We’re ready to work even putting our lives at risk to honour their decision.He further said realising the party’s demand through a strong movement is a challenge for the committee.Meanwhile, addressing a programme, Mirza Fakhrul Islam said the Dhaka City unit BNP will turn into a stronger one with its new convening committee and will be able to reflect people’s hopes and aspirations.
