The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Secretaries general of both the factions of BNP-Khondoker Delwar Hossain and Maj (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed yesterday echoed that both the Awami League and BNP were equally responsible for 1/11 change over.

Pro-Khaleda leader Khondoker Delwar Hossain said 1/11 was not inevitable; rather it was created under a priorplan to obstruct democracy. On the other hand, reformists’ leader Hafiz Uddin Ahmed termed it as a milestone in the national history and said the reforms would bring qualitative changes to the political arena.

Both the leaders were addressing separate press conference at their Sangsad Bhaban NAM flat and Banani home respectively.

Khondoker Delwar Hossain, who was nominated Secretary General of BNP by its detained Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, placed a seven-point charter of demands, immediate unconditional release of Begum Zia and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina for restoration of an environment for election.

”Free and fair election is not possible without two leaders-Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina. We want free and fair elections and to ensure it all the arrested leaders and workers must be freed,” he said

Delwar said any staged managed election would not be acceptable to the people at home and abroad.

The other demands made by Delwar include immediate withdrawal of the state of emergency, a stop to filing of cases against politicians for what he said was meant to harass them, allowing outdoor politics, withdrawal of cases against political detainees including Khaleda and release of the arrested DU teachers and students.

Hafizuddin Ahmed, who was nominated, acting secretary general of BNP by its standing committee members, also placed a five-point recommendations.

In his five-point recommendations, he urged the government to create investment-friendly environment, shore up eroding confidence of businesses, take quick steps to boost the economy, build up food security and take steps to increase foreign currency earnings.

Khandaker Delwar Hossain termed the government un-elected one and said it could not stay in power for years together as per the Constitution.

He apprehended that the present food deficit might lead to a food crisis in the country.

Evaluating the one-year rule of the government, he said though one year has elapsed, election could not be held and people’s rights were curbed, which is tantamount to violation of human rights.

He called upon the government to hold political dialogue saying that political issues must be resolved politically.

The President was forced to impose the state of emergency as Awami League and its allies had staged a rein of terror through 'logi, baitha’ in the name of movement before January 10, he alleged.

He said leaders of BNP have been repressed most in the last one-year and machination is still on to mutilate BNP.

Besides, he said, motivated cases were filed against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and others to disqualify them from contesting elections.

He also alleged that the Election Commission (EC) has failed to prove its neutrality by inviting what he said the 'illegal committee’ to dialogue and handing over to them the key of the party central office.

Delwar demanded holding the election before the EC deadline and hand over power to elected representatives in the interest of the nation.

Meanwhile, Hafizuddin Ahmed sought the vote in line with the roadmap.

The BNP leader refuted acting AL president Zillur Rahman's allegation made at a press briefing on Friday that BNP was responsible for the Jan 11 changeover.

He said the caretaker government has both successes and failures to its credit, but success stories are more than that of failures.

Hafiz said the prime task of the incumbent government is to hold a fair election after the completion of electoral roll.

He said the government-political party dialogue would help contribute to holding credible elections.