Party Chairman Naziur Rahman Manjur yesterday expelled Moidul Islam from the party. Moidul was additional secretary general of the BJP and is now acting secretary general of the Matin-faction.

On the other hand, leader of the Matin-faction Dr MA Matin yesterday expelled Saifur Rahman, secretary general of the Jatiya Party (Naziur).

Earlier on Wednesday Dr Matin had declared the sitting BJP Chairman Naziur Rahman Manjur removed from the party for making 'anti-party' and 'anti-four-party alliance' statements.

In reply, Naziur at a presidium meeting on Thursday expelled party adviser and presidium member Matin for his anti-organisational activities.

A press statement signed by Moidul Islam as acting secretary general of the BJP (Matin) on Thursday said that 11 presidium members including four lawmakers at a presidium meeting on Wednesday unanimously decided to remove Naziur from the post of party chairman and selected Dr Matin as the new chairman.

The statement said Naziur without any discussion in the party forum had issued statements in the media and misled people about the BJP and the four-party alliance.

Naziur in statements published in the media had recently blamed ruling coalition partner Jamaat-e-Islami for "spreading religious extremism and instigating militant activities across the country". He also warned that Jamaat will be responsible for any potential split in the alliance.

Following Naziur's remarks, four BJP lawmakers--Kazi Anwar Hossain, Kazi Alauddin, ABM Amin Uddin and Dr Matin--in a statement on April 11 asked Naziur to retract his remarks or face disciplinary action. They also met the prime minister against the backdrop of deep split within the BJP.

Naziur Rahman Manjur, however, withdrew his remarks under government pressure, party sources said requesting anonymity.