BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was discontent with Moudud Ahmed’s recent controversial remarks on her party leadership, but was also hesitant on taking any stern action against the senior leader as it might create a fresh crisis for the party, a source close to the BNP chief has said.
Seeking anonymity, the party source told the Dhaka Tribune that Khaleda had shared her anger and dissatisfaction about the contents of Moudud’s book with several party leaders including Nazrul Islam Khan, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee and Sultan Salauddin Tuku.
While holding talks with the party leaders, Khaleda said she did not understand why Moudud would make such comments in his book and criticised him for not consulting her before writing the remarks, the source added.
In his recently published book “Bangladesh Emergency and the Aftermath (2007-2008),” BNP Standing Committee Member barrister Moudud Ahmed claimed that Khaleda was more of a mother than a political leader during the emergency period in 2007-08 and was only concerned about the release of her two sons.
The source also told the Dhaka Tribune that BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi had criticised Moudud after receiving permission from Khaleda.
Rizvi recently slammed Moudud for writing the book in an attempt to “impress the government.” Also in a programme at the National Press Club yesterday, he claimed that some opportunist BNP leaders were acting as government agents, as part of a conspiracy to break up the party.
Meanwhile, party sources claimed that at the next BNP Standing Committee meeting, Khaleda Zia might discuss with her colleagues on three possible actions against Moudud: issuing a show-cause, revoking the leader’s Standing Committee membership, or expelling him from the party.
Asked about the issue, BNP Standing Committee Member Lt Gen (retired) M Mahbubur Rahman refused to comment, saying he had not read Moudud’s book yet. He, however, added: “If any mistake was made in the book, it will be presented at the party’s Standing Committee meeting. Madam [Khaleda] and all the committee members will make a decision.”
The BNP chairperson’s Press Secretary Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel, on the other hand, said: “Madam did not take any decision against Moudud Ahmed. I think it is not a major issue. If it was major, madam would have called a Standing Committee meeting.”
He, however, admitted that most central leaders along with root-level leaders and activists were unhappy about the comments made by Moudud in his book.
Asked whether Khaleda had discussed the issue with other party leaders, he said discussion on Moudud’s book had come up when several senior and mid-level party leaders had gone to meet the BNP chief on unrelated matters.
When asked about the issue, Moudud Ahmed claimed that Khaleda Zia could not blame him for not consulting her on the book, as it was not required for anyone to consult others before writing a book.
He added that the BNP chief was being misled by a section of party leaders on this issue.
“If madam reads the entire book, the misunderstanding that had been created will be resolved,” Moudud told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
On Monday, Moudud also termed Rizvi’s criticisms on his book “unexpected and unfortunate,” claiming that the contents of his book were aimed at pointing at the failures of the BNP during the emergency period, not to impress anybody.
In the book that was published last Saturday, Moudud wrote: “At that time [2007-08], the fate of her sons Tarique and Koko was the most important thing for Khaleda Zia. She was not ready to take part in any discussion until their freedom was ensured. She remained strong despite many different kinds of pressure. In those days, she was more of a mother than a leader of the people, BNP chairperson and a politician who was anxious about her sons’ freedom.”
Moudud also wrote that the BNP government’s ill-rule, widespread allegations of corruption, ties with Jamaat, the rise of militancy and its connection with some BNP leaders, and the power practice of Hawa Bhaban made voters turn away from the BNP.
