Hafizuddin accepts Delwar as BNP SG
Saturday, 13 September 2008
BNP leader Hafizuddin Ahmed, in a dramatic U-turn within 24 hours of the release of party chief Khaleda Zia, has announced that he accepts Khandaker Delwar Hossain as the secretary general of the party, reports bdnews24.com.
He told the news agency that he rang Khaleda up Friday.
"I spoke to madam on Friday. She is a bit ill. She has told me that I can meet her once she gets well."
Hafizuddin, who was nominated acting secretary general by the BNP's policymaking standing committee on October 29 last year, now thinks the standing committee's decision was wrong.
"BNP was united under the leadership of Khaleda Zia and it will remain so. There is no dispute about her leadership.
"That is why I and my followers have accepted the leadership of her nominated secretary general," he said at his Banani home.
His latest remarks echo those of Khaleda who told party supporters Thursday that the 'division' within BNP was media propaganda.
The former Prime Minister said: "I will work with all. Those who were with the BNP when I had to go to jail are still with the party. I ask them to work together."
"The BNP is united and will stay united in future," she said.
Minutes before arrest on September 3 last year on graft charges, Khaleda had expelled secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and replaced him with standing committee member Delwar.
Seven out of 12 members of the standing committee met on the night of October 29 last year at M Saifur Rahman's residence and did not approve the expulsion of Bhuiyan. The meeting nominated Saifur as the acting chairman and Hafizuddin the acting secretary general of the beleaguered party.
The move split the BNP into two, with the Delwar-led faction taking the Election Commission to court after the Commission had invited Hafizuddin to the electoral dialogue in a letter addressing him as the acting secretary general.
Enlarging on the October 29 decision, Hafizuddin said, "Saifur Rahman has already spoken about the decision. After this, the decision made on October 29 stands void."
Saifur on May 7 told journalists, "Since some standing committee members who were present on the night of October 29 have filed affidavit in the court, my chairmanship has ceased to be in force."
Hafiz said he was elated at the release of Khaleda and heaped praise on her leadership.
"Khaleda Zia is the leader of all of us. We are happy at her release. The leader's statement after her release reflected her brilliance and wisdom."
"BNP is a big party. There may be differences of opinion but that can be resolved through discussion."
On the party's reforms Hafizuddin said, "Our reform proposals have been included in the amended Representation of People Ordinance. Our leader is also for reform. Whatever reform takes place will take place under the leadership of Khaleda Zia."
He told the news agency that he rang Khaleda up Friday.
"I spoke to madam on Friday. She is a bit ill. She has told me that I can meet her once she gets well."
Hafizuddin, who was nominated acting secretary general by the BNP's policymaking standing committee on October 29 last year, now thinks the standing committee's decision was wrong.
"BNP was united under the leadership of Khaleda Zia and it will remain so. There is no dispute about her leadership.
"That is why I and my followers have accepted the leadership of her nominated secretary general," he said at his Banani home.
His latest remarks echo those of Khaleda who told party supporters Thursday that the 'division' within BNP was media propaganda.
The former Prime Minister said: "I will work with all. Those who were with the BNP when I had to go to jail are still with the party. I ask them to work together."
"The BNP is united and will stay united in future," she said.
Minutes before arrest on September 3 last year on graft charges, Khaleda had expelled secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and replaced him with standing committee member Delwar.
Seven out of 12 members of the standing committee met on the night of October 29 last year at M Saifur Rahman's residence and did not approve the expulsion of Bhuiyan. The meeting nominated Saifur as the acting chairman and Hafizuddin the acting secretary general of the beleaguered party.
The move split the BNP into two, with the Delwar-led faction taking the Election Commission to court after the Commission had invited Hafizuddin to the electoral dialogue in a letter addressing him as the acting secretary general.
Enlarging on the October 29 decision, Hafizuddin said, "Saifur Rahman has already spoken about the decision. After this, the decision made on October 29 stands void."
Saifur on May 7 told journalists, "Since some standing committee members who were present on the night of October 29 have filed affidavit in the court, my chairmanship has ceased to be in force."
Hafiz said he was elated at the release of Khaleda and heaped praise on her leadership.
"Khaleda Zia is the leader of all of us. We are happy at her release. The leader's statement after her release reflected her brilliance and wisdom."
"BNP is a big party. There may be differences of opinion but that can be resolved through discussion."
On the party's reforms Hafizuddin said, "Our reform proposals have been included in the amended Representation of People Ordinance. Our leader is also for reform. Whatever reform takes place will take place under the leadership of Khaleda Zia."