US embassy cable - 05DHAKA3854

UNCLAS DHAKA 003854 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PTER, KISL, BG 
SUBJECT: BNP INFIGHTING INTENSIFIES 
 
1. (SBU) Summary: BNP infighting has degenerated to public 
quarreling by ministers over patronage and other issues in 
Dhaka and several regional strongholds.  An embarrassed BNP 
is trying to end the feuds, which at this point do not 
appear to pose a threat to the BNP's integrity or its 
prospects for the next election.  End Summary. 
 
2. (SBU) According to press and BNP sources, there are 
several prominent intra-party conflicts in Dhaka and 
elsewhere.  On July 28, the BNP disciplined opponents of 
Finance Minister Saifur Rahman in his hometown of Sylhet by 
suspending a local party chapter dominated by his critics. 
On July 30, two opposing factions of a BNP front body 
clashed in Khulna.  On August 3, a BNP forum of lawyers 
suspended Communication Minister Barrister Nazmul Huda for 
his opposition to a planned rally.  Huda then absented 
himself from the rally which was attended by several cabinet 
colleagues.  Recently, PM Zia relieved Education State 
Minister Ehasanul Haq Milon of his responsibility for the 
oversight of development activities in his home district, 
Chandpur, following complaints against him from local 
legislators. 
 
3.  (SBU) According to Sylhet MP Nazir Hossain, Saifur 
Rahman's "monopolistic" approach to BNP politics in Sylhet 
and the growing public perception of his son Naser Rahman's 
indulgence in corruption, has resulted in an erosion of 
Saifur's image.  Hossain told us that Rahman handpicked a 
few "yes men" to run the party and dispensed favors to them, 
resulting in dissatisfaction among younger generation 
leaders and legislators who are now challenging his 
leadership. Hossain said he did not support the open 
criticism of Rahman, a "father figure" in the region, and 
warned that it might be hard for Rahman to get back his hold 
unless the party leadership can repair the damage.  Hossain 
said Sylhet district chapter convener Ilias Ali, MP, enjoys 
support from PM's son Tarique Rahman and this might have 
emboldened him enough to challenge Saifur Rahman.  He said 
the BNP leadership sees the infighting in different 
districts throughout the country as benefiting the 
opposition Awami League and is trying to settle the disputes 
before real damage is done. 
 
4. (SBU) AL leader and Opposition Chief Whip Abdus Shahid, 
also from Sylhet, told us that the conflict between Rahman 
and other BNP leaders emanated from a rivalry over patronage 
and business.  He is not sure if AL can take advantage of 
the BNP infighting as the AL has its own internal problems, 
but he is confident that some BNP supporters are switching 
to the AL. 
 
5. (SBU) Shifting alliances among politicians bent on 
exercising power over others is becoming increasingly 
common, according to an attorney close to BNP leaders in 
Dhaka.  For example, Minister Huda played a key role in 
appointing 19 judges to the High Court last year, sidelining 
Law Minister Moudud Ahmed.  In response, Ahmed has now 
reportedly teamed up with Telecommunication Minister Aminul 
Haq and a few other BNP attorneys to boost his influence in 
legal circles.  Huda's apparently odd political moves may 
stem from his experience during Zia's first administration, 
when Zia dropped him from the cabinet and the BNP standing 
committee for his abrupt proposal to hand over power to the 
appellate panel of the Supreme Court for overseeing 
elections. 
 
6.  (SBU) Comment:  Infighting is always a factor in 
Bangladeshi politics, but the open involvement of cabinet 
ministers gives this round a new dimension.  The various 
rifts within the BNP reveal growing dissatisfaction and 
impatience among party leaders and aspiring leaders, some of 
which is generational in nature.  However, at this point, 
the rifts are not beyond repair provided BNP leadership can 
crack the whip, and there is no