Khaleda calls for unity in party, hints at expansion of alliance
Friday, 19 September 2008
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia Thursday called upon the party rank and file to forge solid unity keeping in view the parliamentary election schedule which would be announced Monday, reports UNB.
The call from the four-party alliance leader came when veteran leaders Shah Moazzem Hossain and Begum Razia Foyez met her at the residence of Shafiq Rehman at Eskaton in the afternoon.
A group of BNP workers from Chittagong city led by Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and central leaders of front organisations JCD and Ulema Dal also met Khaleda Zia who had earlier a meeting with Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain and M Shamsul Islam.
Shah Moazzem and Razia Foyez later told newsmen that they had suggested expansion of the 4-party alliance taking in it the like-minded parties. Their discussion revolved round issues how to strengthen the alliance to fight the ensuing parliamentary polls to success.
Shah Moazzem who was chief whip during Awami League regime after independence, minister during Khandker Mushtaque Ahmed and deputy prime minister in Ershad regime had joined BNP several years ago. A member of Pakistan National Assembly in 60s Razia Foyez, who had joined Khan A Sabur in reviving Muslim League and was MP, later joined Jatiya Party of Ershad. She also joined BNP.
In reply to a question SQ Chowdhury later said expansion of the alliance was possible. The chairperson has responded positively to the suggestion of Shah Moazzem and Razia Foyez, he added.
Asked about the reported division in the party in Chittagong, Chowdhury said there was no friction in BNP. The chairperson has directed all to work unitedly.
Advocate Abdus Sattar of Chittagong after meeting with Khaleda Zia told the news agency that they had requested the chairperson to form a full-fledged committee replacing the convening committee in Chittagong city.
The call from the four-party alliance leader came when veteran leaders Shah Moazzem Hossain and Begum Razia Foyez met her at the residence of Shafiq Rehman at Eskaton in the afternoon.
A group of BNP workers from Chittagong city led by Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and central leaders of front organisations JCD and Ulema Dal also met Khaleda Zia who had earlier a meeting with Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain and M Shamsul Islam.
Shah Moazzem and Razia Foyez later told newsmen that they had suggested expansion of the 4-party alliance taking in it the like-minded parties. Their discussion revolved round issues how to strengthen the alliance to fight the ensuing parliamentary polls to success.
Shah Moazzem who was chief whip during Awami League regime after independence, minister during Khandker Mushtaque Ahmed and deputy prime minister in Ershad regime had joined BNP several years ago. A member of Pakistan National Assembly in 60s Razia Foyez, who had joined Khan A Sabur in reviving Muslim League and was MP, later joined Jatiya Party of Ershad. She also joined BNP.
In reply to a question SQ Chowdhury later said expansion of the alliance was possible. The chairperson has responded positively to the suggestion of Shah Moazzem and Razia Foyez, he added.
Asked about the reported division in the party in Chittagong, Chowdhury said there was no friction in BNP. The chairperson has directed all to work unitedly.
Advocate Abdus Sattar of Chittagong after meeting with Khaleda Zia told the news agency that they had requested the chairperson to form a full-fledged committee replacing the convening committee in Chittagong city.