Factions are appearing in Chittagong BNP again as lawmaker Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and Abdullah Al Noman are reportedly wrangling over supremacy in Chittagong BNP.

Abdullah Al Noman is the joint secretary general of the party while Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, now BNP Chittagong City convener, and Mir Nasir Uddin, the international affairs secretary of the central BNP committee, are reportedly backing Noman.

Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury holds no key post in the party but has a strong hold in Chittagong BNP. He recently criticised some of the party decisions, activities, the inclusion of so-called reformists in the party, and reinstatement of those having bad reputation or who have indulged in corruption.

Noman's and SQ Chowdhury's factions demonstrated against each other yesterday afternoon.

Noman-faction held a rally, followed by a procession, demanding organisational action against SQ Chowdhury for, what they said, his comments on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, her sons Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko.

At the rally held at Nasimon Bhaban City BNP Office premises the speakers termed SQ Chowdhury a privileged leader of BNP and demanded his ouster from the party.

Earlier, over 60 leaders and activists of BNP loyal to SQ Chowdhury staged a demonstration at the same venue just before the faction of Noman held its rally.

At a rally they said conspiracy is being hatched both at home and abroad against SQ Chowdhury.

SQ Chowdhury, lawmaker from Chittagong-2, created sensation in the political arena when he along with some 60 of his followers attended a dinner hosted by his political archrival Chittagong City Corporation Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, president of Chittagong City Awami League, at the latter's Chittagong home Tuesday.

SQ Chowdhury and Mohiuddin Chowdhury are relatives.

After the dinner SQ Chowdhury held an hour-long meeting with Mohiuddin Chowdhury, sources said.

SQ Chowdhury meeting Mohiuddin Chowdhury and his statements in media aroused curiosity among many. Some apprehended that the meeting could have been held to tie the two political archrivals in Chittagong and create a new political polarisation ahead of the CCC election.

There is a possibility that Abdullah Al Noman may run in the CCC election next year as the BNP-backed candidate, sources said.

Any new political "equation" created by SQ Chowdhury and Mohiuddin ahead of the CCC election might put the BNP-backed candidate in an awkward position, sources observed.

When asked about this Mohiuddin Chowdhury dodged the question and said, "It is very natural that relatives would visit each other on the occasion of Eid. Salahuddin Quader is my nephew and he responded to my invitation."

Asked about the speculated new political polarisation ahead of the next CCC mayoral elections, Mohiuddin said, "The schedule for CCC election is yet to be announced. And even if there is any 'equation', everyone would be notified through statements. Is there any need for making exaggerated report on speculations?”

He said SQ Chowdhury showed openness when he rushed to have the last glimpse of former minister MA Mannan who died on Eid day. The mayor said that he invited SQ Chowdhury to dinner at his home when they met at Mannan's namaj-e-janaza.

Mohiuddin refused to say anything about what they discussed.

"Since we both are politicians, political issues may have come up along with family matters," he said, adding that Salahuddin Quader might be his political rival but they believe in friendship, good-heartedness and sympathy and peaceful coexistence.