The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday said his party has not yet taken any decision on its participation in the local government body elections.

"A decision will be taken on local government body elections at the party forum after setting up a new office temporarily," he said when his reaction was sought about the Awami League (AL) decision to participate in the local government body elections.

The AL could take the decision because they were able to sit at their office, he added, saying, "The BNP leaders and workers could meet me easily after the setting up the new party office."

BNP central office at Naya Paltan remains closed due to disputes between two rival factions led by Khandaker Delwar and Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan.

Addressing the members of Dhaka City Jubo Dal (North) at his NAM Building apartment, Khandaker Delwar said he has overcome the initial jolt and feels relaxed that BNP is now united under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia.

On unity of the party, he said they want unity following the examples set by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Zia, but the opportunists would not be welcomed.

Khandaker Delwar said if necessary, BNP would call for unity, but those who are not in BNP have no right to give any unity call.

"Remain united so it becomes easy to free the detained chairperson," he told the Jubo Dal members.

Khandaker Delwar expressed concern over the health condition of Arafat Rahman Koko and urged the government to send him abroad for better treatment following the demand of his family or release him.

About reported scarcity of fertilizer, the BNP Secretary General said farmers were not getting adequate fertilizer and called for taking immediate steps to ensure supply of the much needed agricultural input.

BNP joint secretary general Gayeshwar Chandra Roy alleged that some BNP leaders were pressing for party reforms to hide their own corruption.

"Consequences for those who have taken stand against Begum Zia will be bad," he said, adding, however, that the door of BNP is open to those who believe in the party constitution.

Jubo Dal general secretary and former BNP MP Moazzem Hossain Alal and acting office secretary of BNP Rizvi Ahmed were present.