The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

In a major development in the BNP, about 32 former MPs, including a number of reformists, led by its Vice-Chairman MK Anwar yesterday expressed their allegiance to the leadership of party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

They made their stand public after meeting party Secretary General Khandkar Delwar Hossain at his NAM Building apartment.

The former MPs, who were present during the meeting, were MK Anwar, Mohammad Shahjahan, Moazzem Hossain Alal, Major (rtd) Akteruzzaman, Gazi Mohammad Shahjahan Jewel, Monirul Huq Chowdhury, Abul Kalam Azad, Kazi Rafiqul Islam, Abdul Momin Talukdar, Principal Sohrabuddin, Ashrafuddin Nizam, Selim Reza Habib, Fazlul Rahman Sultan, Shah Nurul Karim Shahin, Shahjahan Chowdhury, Dr Mohammad Ali, Selim Sultana, Helen Zerin Khan, Fahima Akter Jublee, Noorjahan Yasmin, Rehena Akter Banu, Bilqis Zahan, Ferdousi Akter, Rashida Begum Hira, Newaz Halima, Shahana Akter Rani, Chayan Ara, Rozina Islam, Jahan Panna and Saimon Begum and Helen Zerin Khan.

Welcoming former party legislators, Khandaker Delwar said, "The situation was a bit clouded recently. Your presence here today will remove the confusion and clear the situation."

"Your presence has also demonstrated that BNP remained united. There might be personal conflict but we are all united under the leadership of our Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia," he added.

Pointing his finger at Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and his associate, the BNP Secretary General said Begum Zia had expelled them from the party as a last resort to maintain unity in the party.

Replying to a question he said that those expelled from the party cannot be taken back without permission of the Chairperson. However, if anyone wants to return he has to apply in accordance with the party constitution.

He said he sought permission to meet with Khaleda Zia in the sub-jail. "I am waiting to see her. Those expelled from the party cannot be taken back without her permission. Equally, her permission is needed to take action against the associates of those expelled."

Khandaker Delwar told the former BNP MPs that he would always discuss with them and seek their advice in dealing with all affairs of the party. "I shall not take any decision on my own."

He requested them to take care that none exert undue influence in the process of trial of party leaders and workers. Fair and just trial should be ensured so that people are convinced that their trial was unbiased and fair.

Khandaker Delwar reiterated the demand for opening the party office to carry out activities like the other political parties.

Party Spokesman and Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan also addressed the former MPs of the party.