If legal means fails, Khaleda will be freed by 'political means', says Hannan Shah
Monday, 22 October 2007
BNP Chairperson's Adviser Hannan Shah said, if Khaleda could not be released by legal means, efforts would be made "politically" to free her, report UNB and bdnews24.com.
He alleged that Mannan Bhuiyan's leadership has proved futile. "Being blessed by unseen forces they wanted to harm BNP, but they failed and retreated," said an outspoken Shah, who is acting as spokesman for the detained party chief and ex-PM, Khaleda Zia.
"Imagination of reformists will remain a mere imagination. It will never come true," he also said. There is no such thing as the last word in politics. The swipe they (the reformists) took against us still hurts. We will decide what to do about those who will want to return to BNP according to the party's constitution, he added.
Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain Sunday called for unity in the party, which had suffered some factious hiccups in the changed political context, and expressed their readiness to consider formal unity proposal from the dissidents.
"Unity is essential to strengthen BNP. If formal proposal for unity comes from the dissidents, it will be considered," he said, holding out the olive branch for those who are standing apart with their campaign for party's political and leadership reform under the wind of change, kicked off by the interim regime, that had been blowing.
Talking to the reporters at his NAM apartment, the recently appointed BNP secretary general, however, dispelled the notion that BNP has split up. "BNP remains united," he said.
He noted that many leaders and workers of district and thana committees were facing cases while many central leaders were in jail. "There is no atmosphere even to protest against their arrest."
The BNP secretary general again urged the caretaker government to let their central office open, now that indoor politics was allowed through relaxing the rules of the state of emergency.
On whether the BNP would hold a dialogue with the government as proposed by the Awami League, Delwar said, "It is not our concern which party does what. Our party office is closed. If our offices were open, we could discuss these matters and then decide what to do."
Earlier, the leaders and workers of BNP Narsingdi Thana and Madhabdi Pourasava met Khandaker Delwar and discussed party matters. BNP Standing Committee Member Shamsul Islam and Juba Dal General Secretary Moazzem Hossain Alal also met Delwar.
Delwar told them, "Jailed Khaleda Zia is the most popular leader. BNP has become stronger under her leadership. We have to remain alert so that the party does not plunge into confusion. The BNP's unity must remain intact."
Not mentioning the names of those expelled from the party he said, "Those who are isolated from the people and from the thoughts of the party leaders and workers will be thrown into the dustbin of history." Those who said the BNP will split into several factions are now trying to unite under the leadership of Khaleda Zia, he added.
On the other hand, BNP reformist leader Ashraf Hossain also said, they would continue efforts to keep BNP united.
He said, reform proposals were made to make BNP acceptable. Those proposals would be endorsed at the council. "If anyone brings amendment to the draft proposals, that would be considered," said Ashraf.
However, he claimed that Mannan Bhuiyan is still the lawful secretary general of the party. He hoped the Election Commission would invite his faction to its talks with the political parties.
Ashraf Hossain explained his side's view after meetings with both Khondoker Delwar at his NAM flat, and with Mannan Bhuiyan at his Gulshan residence. The two senior leaders said, the BNP would be stronger if it remained united.
Recent media reports have hinted that leaders of the BNP's factions were working to bridge their differences. The leaders of the two factions of the party Sunday separately said that the party was united, and that each of them represented the mainstream.
He alleged that Mannan Bhuiyan's leadership has proved futile. "Being blessed by unseen forces they wanted to harm BNP, but they failed and retreated," said an outspoken Shah, who is acting as spokesman for the detained party chief and ex-PM, Khaleda Zia.
"Imagination of reformists will remain a mere imagination. It will never come true," he also said. There is no such thing as the last word in politics. The swipe they (the reformists) took against us still hurts. We will decide what to do about those who will want to return to BNP according to the party's constitution, he added.
Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain Sunday called for unity in the party, which had suffered some factious hiccups in the changed political context, and expressed their readiness to consider formal unity proposal from the dissidents.
"Unity is essential to strengthen BNP. If formal proposal for unity comes from the dissidents, it will be considered," he said, holding out the olive branch for those who are standing apart with their campaign for party's political and leadership reform under the wind of change, kicked off by the interim regime, that had been blowing.
Talking to the reporters at his NAM apartment, the recently appointed BNP secretary general, however, dispelled the notion that BNP has split up. "BNP remains united," he said.
He noted that many leaders and workers of district and thana committees were facing cases while many central leaders were in jail. "There is no atmosphere even to protest against their arrest."
The BNP secretary general again urged the caretaker government to let their central office open, now that indoor politics was allowed through relaxing the rules of the state of emergency.
On whether the BNP would hold a dialogue with the government as proposed by the Awami League, Delwar said, "It is not our concern which party does what. Our party office is closed. If our offices were open, we could discuss these matters and then decide what to do."
Earlier, the leaders and workers of BNP Narsingdi Thana and Madhabdi Pourasava met Khandaker Delwar and discussed party matters. BNP Standing Committee Member Shamsul Islam and Juba Dal General Secretary Moazzem Hossain Alal also met Delwar.
Delwar told them, "Jailed Khaleda Zia is the most popular leader. BNP has become stronger under her leadership. We have to remain alert so that the party does not plunge into confusion. The BNP's unity must remain intact."
Not mentioning the names of those expelled from the party he said, "Those who are isolated from the people and from the thoughts of the party leaders and workers will be thrown into the dustbin of history." Those who said the BNP will split into several factions are now trying to unite under the leadership of Khaleda Zia, he added.
On the other hand, BNP reformist leader Ashraf Hossain also said, they would continue efforts to keep BNP united.
He said, reform proposals were made to make BNP acceptable. Those proposals would be endorsed at the council. "If anyone brings amendment to the draft proposals, that would be considered," said Ashraf.
However, he claimed that Mannan Bhuiyan is still the lawful secretary general of the party. He hoped the Election Commission would invite his faction to its talks with the political parties.
Ashraf Hossain explained his side's view after meetings with both Khondoker Delwar at his NAM flat, and with Mannan Bhuiyan at his Gulshan residence. The two senior leaders said, the BNP would be stronger if it remained united.
Recent media reports have hinted that leaders of the BNP's factions were working to bridge their differences. The leaders of the two factions of the party Sunday separately said that the party was united, and that each of them represented the mainstream.