The two rival factions are now holding separate programmes. The serious disagreement and conflict between the two rival factions may lead to clashes any time, many leaders and activists this correspondent talked to said.

One faction of the party is led by former lawmaker Fazlur Rahaman Khan, also a former president of Netrakona district AL. Former chairman of Netrakina Pourasava Matiur Rahaman Khan, Jubo League leader Omar Faruk and district Chhatra League President Mazibur Rahaman Hira are with him.

The other faction is led by former lawmaker Jalaluddin Talukder, along with Netrakona district AL President Shamsujjuha, General Secretary Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru and Organizing Secretary Nur Khan Mitu.

The rift has also affected the party in almost all the ten upazilas.

Leaders and activists belonging to the Shamsujjuha group took part in the party's recent anti-government agitation but those aligned with Fazlur Rahaman did not go for any such programme.

The conflict is long-drawn. I surfaced during the last general election when Shamsujjuha had urged the party central leaders not to nominate Fazlur Rahaman, who was a lawmaker at that time.

The party then nominated Abdul Momin, taking him to be a neutral man.

But the conflict intensifies during the last district council of the party held on January 27 last year, when Fazlur Rahaman Khan lost to Shamsujjuha in the race for the post of president of the district unit.

Recently, the group led by Shamsujjuha held a meeting at the party office protesting the murder of party central leader and former finance minister SAMS Kibria in Habigonj.

Fazlur Rahaman group held a protest programme at Chandranath High School ground in the town.

Since then, the rival factions are holding programmes separately, often accusing each other.

When contacted, Shamsujjuha and Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru, president and general secretary of the district committee, said they have been elected by party councilors and so enjoy support of the rank and file. "They (Fazlur Rahaman group) are conspiring against the party", Shamsujjuha alleged.

Fazlur Rahaman Khan said they are holding separate programmes because many of the workers do not like them (Shamsujjuha and Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru).

Some mid-level leaders and party workers said central leaders should intervene immediately to resolve the conflict for the greater interest of the party.