Ashol BNP driven away from Naya Paltan again

Under the banner of “Ashol BNP” (literally meaning real BNP), some people for the fourth time tried in vain to enter BNP's Naya Paltan headquarters yesterday.

Pro-BNP Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists led by JCD joint secretary Musfiqur Rahman Lenin chased away around 25 men as it closed in on the office after starting from the nearby Jonaki Cinema, witnesses said.

The “Ashol BNP” activists were carrying a banner reading “Showdown of Revolution”. They also chanted slogans supporting their leader and self-declared party convener, Kamrul Hasan Nasim.

But they took to their heels the moment JCD men with sticks chased them. Then they beat a man assuming that he was from “Ashol BNP”.

The JCD men, later, demonstrated before its office, chanting anti-government slogans, confirmed Paltan police.

Lenin said Ashol BNP was nothing but part of an evil design of the government to split the party.

On January 2, BNP and “Ashol BNP” activists clashed after some 100 men from the latter attempted to occupy the office. Their second bid on January 17 also failed.

Nasim came under the spotlight when he alleged on January 9 last year that the leadership of Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman was “illegal”.

The “Ashol BNP” convener, who claims to be a member of pro-BNP Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal in Jessore's Chowgachha, said he wanted to “reform and reorganise” BNP.

Nasim yesterday told The Daily Star that he would make fresh attempts “any moment” to take over the office.