Apparently, the party faction led by Ilyas Ali MP is unhappy over dissolution of the district committee led by him. But they are happy with the party high-ups' order restricting activities of party lawmakers from the district to their own constituencies.

Ilyas welcomed the decision.

On the other hand, loyalists of Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman are annoyed as Ilyas Ali is yet to be expelled from the party. They will hold a press conference within a day to two to explain their position and announce agitation programmes to press 'immediate action' against Ilyas, party insiders said.

Ilyas had openly criticised Saifur, lawmaker from Sylhet Sadar constituency.

Some leading party men belonging to Saifur's camp said, he held meetings with party high-ups in the last couple of days, and he still believes Ilyas is a liability to the party and should be expelled.

But Saifur would go slow at least till the budget session of parliament. If Ilyas is not expelled, he may resign from the cabinet later, they said.

Ruling BNP lawmakers from Sylhet region are also divided over the conflict between Saifur and Ilyas. Of the five legislators from Sylhet district, Syed Mokbul Hossain and Shafi Ahmed Chowdhury are with Ilyas.

Earlier, the three had apologised to the finance minister for their comments against him in August last year. BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan brought about the reconciliation.

Dilder Hossain MP is with Saifur.

In neighbouring Moulvibazar district, home district of Saifur, Ebadur Rahman Chowdhury MP lost his portfolio of state minister in the wake of 'problems' with the finance minister.

Independent lawmaker from Kulaura upazila--MM Shahin-- had been in Saifur's rival camp as he was deprived of BNP nomination in the last election.

Since he was elected, his conflict with Saifur's son Naser Rahman MP kept him away from party activities.

In Habiganj district, a strong faction of the party is against Saifur. But the pourasava chairman is loyal to him.

Meanwhile, being a senior party leader and an influential member of the cabinet, Saifur enjoys considerable support in the divisional headquarters of Sylhet.

Talking to The Daily Star on Tuesday, Ilyas said, "I will abide by the decisions of the party high command."

Asked about the demand for his expulsion, he said, "I do not care any individual's demand. Since I am with the party, decision should come from the party high-ups."