Khondoker Delwar puts condition for reconciliation with 'reformists'

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BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain said Saturday any unity with Saifur Rahman's faction of the party might be possible if they repealled their decisions taken in the October 29 meeting, reports UNB.
On October 29 last year, a meeting of BNP standing committee was held at Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan's house forming a new leadership with Saifur Rahman as the acting chairman and Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed as the acting secretary general.
"If they want unity, they must cancel the illegal decisions of the illegal meeting. Don't confuse people in the name of unity by keeping those illegal decisions in force," Delwar told reporters at his NAM apartment.
The BNP secretary general said if the Saifur group respected Khaleda Zia as the party chairperson they must abide by the BNP constitution. "You clear your mind first, and then speak about the unity of BNP," he said, questioning whether those who were dictating them wanted unity.
Pointing to inconsistency in presidium member Saifur Rahman's remarks, Delwar said he used to speak one thing in daytime and another in TV talk-show at night.
He claimed that BNP was united at home and abroad under the leadership of Khaleda Zia. "There is no bar to returning to BNP, if the misguided people want to return," he added.
Calling for lifting the state of emergency, Delwar alleged that the government was using the state of emergency as a tool to harass political leaders and deny people's fundamental rights.
He said in the name of state of emergency, basic rights of a political party could not be denied.
Delwar said the state of emergency was already in place for more than a year, which was unprecedented in any democracy.
Besides, he said, the foreign dignitaries who were visiting the country had made clear observations about lifting of the emergency and holding the elections quickly to hand over power to elected representatives.
"The present critical situation is gradually deepening," Delwar said, adding the government must take a positive view about politicians to hold elections as per the roadmap.
He reiterated the demand for release of Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, withdrawal of the emergency and lifting restriction on open politics for the welfare of the country.
Delwar once again rejected the notion of a national government, saying that it was unconstitutional and BNP did not support it.
The BNP leader deplored that he was not being allowed to meet Khaleda Zia despite court orders. "She is kept in a solitary confinement," he alleged.
Delwar said politicians were suffering from serious diseases in jails and it was expected that they should be released.
He also demanded proper treatment of Tarique and Koko for their physical and mental injuries, or else they should be released immediately.
Referring to the death of Ward Commissioner Quyyum Khan in Dhaka Central Jail Friday, Delwar said the government should take cognizance of his wife's allegation and constitute an inquiry committee to probe his death.