Both factions of BNP are now seeking support from Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) chief AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, also the founding secretary general of BNP, and offered him to steer their faction to take the upperhand in the party.
Pro-reformist faction of BNP led by Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and the Khandaker Delwar Hossain group, during the last couple of days contacted Badruddoza over telephone or through messengers, sources said.
Several meetings were also held between the mediator of Badruddoza and Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, the sources added.
Discussions are also going on inside Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) about Badruddoza's return to BNP. Executive Committee of LDP-Badruddoza faction is to sit on Sunday and discuss the issue, LDP sources said.
AHM Mofazzal Karim, an adviser to the BNP chairperson but a pro-Mannan Bhuiyan faction leader, yesterday told reporters that Badruddoza sought time to make up his mind.
Asked about dialogue with the Election Commission, he said, "We want to have dialogues with the Election Commission unconditionally."
He accused new Secretary General of BNP Khandaker Delwar Hossain and BNP chairperson's adviser Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah of creating confusion in the party by making misleading statements.
The Khandaker Delwar Hossain faction also sent a messenger to Badruddoza to talk about his returning to BNP. They also conveyed to Badruddoza detained BNP chief Khaleda Zia's wish and blessings in this regard, sources said.
A number of leaders of LDP want Badruddoza to return to BNP while some are against it, an LDP leader told The Daily Star Wednesday wishing to remain anonymous. "We will discuss the issue in our executive committee meeting on Sunday and will make a decision," said the LDP leader.
Badruddoza had to make an unceremonious exit from the presidency during the last BNP-led four-party alliance government's tenure. On October 27, 2006 Badruddoza along with Col (retd) Oli Ahmed floated a new political party protesting against "corruption" and "dynastic rule" in BNP.
On May 8, 2004 former president Badruddoza formed Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) and soon afterwards the then BNP lawmakers Major (retd) Abdul Mannan and Badruddoza's son Mahi B Chowdhury joined him.
Badruddoza on different occasions raised his voice against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman saying their "family" is involved with corruption and meddled with the affairs of the state and the party.