Delwar, Mujaheed hold 3-hr parley with Khaleda
Friday, 29 August 2008
BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain and Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed had nearly a three-hour parley with former Premier Khaleda Zia at the makeshift jail in the parliament complex Thursday, signaling a significant political development forward from a deadlock, reports UNB.
This was for the first time Delwar was allowed to meet his party chief since she was arrested on September 3 last year in connection with GATCO graft case amid a crackdown on the political arena following the 1/11 changeover.
More importantly, Delwar was accompanied by Jamaat leader Mujahid, who was reportedly acting as backseat driver in the regrouping of the factious BNP as well as the immediate-past ruling alliance led by it in this trying time.
They had discussion with the BNP chairperson from 12:30pm to 3:25pm, amid fast developments on the judicial front that secured interim release on bail of Khaleda Zia's elder son Tarique Rahman from all 13 pending cases for his overseas treatment and also indicated her own bail so soon.
Emerging from the meeting, Delwar looked confident as he told reporters that BNP wanted to participate in the government-sponsored dialogue and general election in a free atmosphere after the release of Khaleda and Tarique.
"BNP is a pro-election party and wants to join the dialogue preceding the holding of the general election," he said.
But, he added, Khaleda must be freed and Tarique sent abroad for better treatment.
Delwar said during the meeting, Khaleda Zia wondered as to why her eldest son Tarique had not yet been set free.
"Not as BNP chairperson but as a mother I demand that Tarique be immediately sent abroad for treatment," she was quoted as saying.
The immediate-past Prime Minister conveyed her greetings to leaders and workers of the BNP-led four-party alliance for successfully observing the human-chain programme Wednesday.
However, she expressed concern over the high food prices that were causing immense suffering to the people.
This was for the first time Delwar was allowed to meet his party chief since she was arrested on September 3 last year in connection with GATCO graft case amid a crackdown on the political arena following the 1/11 changeover.
More importantly, Delwar was accompanied by Jamaat leader Mujahid, who was reportedly acting as backseat driver in the regrouping of the factious BNP as well as the immediate-past ruling alliance led by it in this trying time.
They had discussion with the BNP chairperson from 12:30pm to 3:25pm, amid fast developments on the judicial front that secured interim release on bail of Khaleda Zia's elder son Tarique Rahman from all 13 pending cases for his overseas treatment and also indicated her own bail so soon.
Emerging from the meeting, Delwar looked confident as he told reporters that BNP wanted to participate in the government-sponsored dialogue and general election in a free atmosphere after the release of Khaleda and Tarique.
"BNP is a pro-election party and wants to join the dialogue preceding the holding of the general election," he said.
But, he added, Khaleda must be freed and Tarique sent abroad for better treatment.
Delwar said during the meeting, Khaleda Zia wondered as to why her eldest son Tarique had not yet been set free.
"Not as BNP chairperson but as a mother I demand that Tarique be immediately sent abroad for treatment," she was quoted as saying.
The immediate-past Prime Minister conveyed her greetings to leaders and workers of the BNP-led four-party alliance for successfully observing the human-chain programme Wednesday.
However, she expressed concern over the high food prices that were causing immense suffering to the people.