Mazhar, Rafiqul face-off in Dhaka

Columnist Farhad Mazhar and senior BNP leader Rafiqul Islam Miah had a war of words after the former questioned the party’s capability to hold demonstrations.

BNP spokesperson Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, attending the event in Dhaka on Thursday, had to step in and urged everyone to be patient.

He said a democratic movement would have ups and downs.

Speaking first at a discussion organised by a pro-BNP forum at the National Press Club, Mazhar expressed ‘concerns’ that the BNP’s future might be bleak.

“Many fear that the BNP may wane if it does not change the strategy of its movement as per the aspiration of the people,” he said.

Ganasasthya Kendra’s founder Zafrullah Chowdhury also expressed similar view.

Miah, however, contested the claim saying, “The BNP, which demonstrates for the people, can never fade away.”

He recalled that such speculations were made after the death of the party’s founder Ziaur Rahman.

“But the BNP moved on,” said the party’s Standing Committee member. “This party can never disappear under the leadership of Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman.”

Mazhar, who was sharing the stage, stood up to register his protest against the statement. “You are speaking from a political point of view,” he told Miah.

“We are professionals. You have to understand my view and my sentiment. None of us (professionals) are directly engaged in politics.

“Why do you call us if you speak in this manner?” he asked the BNP leaders present there.

Several BNP leaders requested Mazhar to sit down, and he obliged.

Miah went over to Mazhar after his speech and the two were seen having a good-humoured conversation.

Speaking after the two, Mirza Fakhrul said the BNP would ‘never disappear’.

“There are ups and downs in democratic movements. There’s no reason to believe that we are falling behind.

“There’s no reason to be frustrated,” added the BNP’s acting secretary general.