The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Both the rival factions of the BNP are trying to woo its founder secretary general and former President Dr Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury to strengthen their respective group. Emissaries of BNP Secretary General Khondaker Delwar Hossain and expelled Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan had separate meetings with Dr B Chowdhury recently with an identical request to lead the party at the critical juncture as Acting Chairman of the party.

Sources close to BNP said Begum Khaleda Zia prior to her arrest wrote a leter to Prof B Chowdhury who was dislodged as President seeking apologies for the incident and requesting him (Chowdhury) to lead the party as Acting Chairman.

BNP Chairperson's Adviser AHM Mofazzal Karim, belonging to the reformist group, told reporters that Prof Badruddoza Chowdhury has sought time to take a decision on his returning to BNP as pro-Mannan Bhuiyan faction had approached him.

"We have discussed the mater with Prof Chowdhury and he has sought time," he said after a

Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Khondaker Delwar Hossain yesterday told reporters that they would not take part in the ongoing dialogue unless the party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was freed from detention.

Begum Khaleda Zia needs to be free for the party to sit with the Election Commission over electoral reforms, he said.

However, BNP Chairperson's Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah, belonging to the anti-reforming group, said presidents and general secretaries of BNP district and upazila commitees will be called to a meeting after Ramzan to decide if they would join the dialogue with the Election Commission.

Replying to a question on B Chowdhury joining the party, he said a decision would be taken in consultation with the party's senior leaders.

Mofazzal Karim said they want to join the dialogue with the Election Commission without any condition.

He said the council meeting of the party would be convened in consultation with the party's senior leaders and the executive commitee.

He accused new Secretary General of BNP Khondaker Delwar Hossain and Chairperson's Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah of creating confusion in the party by making misleading statements.