The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday declined to accept the Standing Committee decision appointing M Saifur Rahman as the party Acting Chairman and Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed as the Acting Secretary General, terming meeting as 'illegal'.

"Nobody other than the Chairperson can call the Standing Committee meeting as per the BNP constitution, as such the meeting was illegal and its decisions unacceptable," he told journalists from his hospital bed at BIRDEM hospital in the city.

"I will not relinquish my post as party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia appointed me the Secretary General, showing confidence in me," he said, asserting that he would continue to the party office even in exchange of his life.

Meanwhile, member of the BNP Advisory Council Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah, at a separate press briefing at his DOHS residence, urged Acting Chairman M Saifur Rahman to sit with both the groups to unite them for strengthening the party. Hannan Shah, who is siding with Khandaker Delwar, said,"With respect to elderly leader Saifur Rahman Saheb. Talking of unity with one group is not enough. He should sit with us and clear his position."

He said if the BNP people who love the party are taken and strengthened the unity in the party, we will certainly cooperate with Saifur Rahman. "But the people will reject him if those engaged in dividing the party are involved by him," he asserted.

He said the BNP leaders seen at the residence of Saifur Rahman on Monday night were used to roam in the house of Mannan Bhuiyan

Khandaker Delwar claimed that some people came to his apartment on Sunday night and threatened to kill him and his family members if he does not relinquish his office as the party Secretary General.

He said he came to know the names of the people and identified them, he, however, did not disclose those names.

After the incident, he said he was scared, fell sick and got admitted to the BIRDEM on Monday.

"In my long political career, I have never received such death threat…I' m scared," the BNP Secretary general said.

Seeking security of his life and family from the President, the Chief Adviser and lawyers of the Supreme Court, Delwar said, "I will disclose the names of the people who threatened him if the higher judiciary assured that I will get justice."

Narrating the incident, he said the people from certain quarters came to his NAM apartment at about 9:30pm on Sunday and asked him to sign on a paper.

Delwar said the paper contained his resignation, withdrawal of expulsion orders against Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and others and appointment of acting chairperson and acting secretary general of BNP by dropping Begum Khaleda Zia as chairperson.

"I did not sign the paper and I will not do it even if it costs my life," said Delwar who is undergoing treatment at BIRDEM cabin no.1530. He is suffering from acute diabetes.

Delwar said because of the threat, he had to stay outside the Hospital overnight without telling his doctors.

Expressing confidence in Begum Zia's leadership, Delwar urged the BNP leaders and workers not to be misled and remain united under her leadership.

He said BNP had overcome many such storms and adverse situation and came to power thrice. "We'll be able to install BNP in power again under Begum Zia's leadership with people's support."