There is speculation within BNP as to the three vice chairman posts which will be filled soon. When BNP had its 6th national council on 19 March, 2016, two posts of the standing committee were vacant. After three long years, Selima Rahman and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku found spots at the committee.
For the remaining three posts, the contenders are believed to be Abdullah Al Noman, barrister Shahjahan Omar Bir Uttom, Hafizuddin Ahmed, Bir Bikrom, advocate Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, Abdul Awal Mintoo, Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain and advocate Zainul Abedin.
It’s believed that the three posts will be filled by people from three categories: former defence official, businessman and lawyer.
In the defence background, Shahjahan Omar Bir Uttom, and Hafizuddin Ahmed, Bir Bikrom are being considered, in business the names taken into account are Abdullah al Noman and Abdul Awal Mintoo while in the lawyers’ list, advocates Khandaker Mahbub and Zainul Abedin are under consideration.
Advocate Khandaker Mahbub Hossain said: “the party is taking decision as per its assessment; I am silent.”
A BNP source adds if Shahjahan Omar is not made a standing committee member, he may resign.
Meanwhile, one section of BNP is furious at the selection of Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and Selima Rahman as standing committee members.