Dilemma of discord

I

How will the political parties solve national problems when they themselves cannot solve problems within their respective parties? PROBE’s cover story, Dilemma of Discord, rightly highlighted the inner conflict both the main political parties of the country are facing. The old guards cannot accept the new Turks and the new Turks are unwilling to acknowledge the leadership of the veterans. They are like oil and water; they cannot mix. As a result, the party discipline is suffering. In Awami League, Sheikh Hasina herself has turned her back on the older leaders and is favouring the likes of Saber Hossain Chowdhury. In BNP, leaders like Saifur Rahman have been insulted by the younger leaders like Ilyas Ali of Sylhet. This does not predict anything good for the party. Differences within political parties can only be sorted out amicably if the parties practice internal democracy. BNP does not and neither does Awami League.

Khandakar Nurul Alam

Lalmatia, Dhaka

II

I feel that Oli Ahmed, Abu Hena and other “rebels” in BNP are not in the same predicament as Saifur Rahman. Saifur Rahman suffered from a pure fit of pique, but Oli Ahmed, Abu Hena and the others have deliberately rebelled. They have a different motivation. In Awami League, the leaders like Amu, Tofail and others are apprehensive of total oblivion in the party’s leadership. Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Kazi Zafrullah and such leaders are stealing the limelight. This is a tough time for both the parties, more so because the general election is drawing near.

Abul Bashar

e-mail

III

Tareq Rahman and Sajib Wazed Joy, the future leaders of BNP and Awami League respectively, may be a reason behind the inner discord in the two parties. Tareq Rahman is already an established leader. As your cover story pointed out, he has given lift to young leaders in the party. This has not been taken well by the older generation of leaders. Again, while Sajib Wazed Joy hasn’t made an official debut into politics, he has been active in Awami League concerning the coming election. This has made the older leaders feel threatened. And this has resulted in bitter feelings slowly surfaces in both BNP and Awami League.

Md. Giasuddin

Ambarkhana, Sylhet