I have to admit that I am confused.
It seem to be all about a secret deal.
A deal. so secret that "everybody" knows about it, and has done for years.
If it is secret, how come "everybody" knows about it.
quote from the OP
"after dissolution of the Move Forward, said the partisan source who only spoke on condition of anonymity."
"The unidentified powers-that-be"
It sounds like the rumour mill is running flat out with nothing in the way of proof, except perhaps the anonymous partisan source, and possibly the unidentified powers-that-be.