The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

In an apparent latest hitch in the bifurcated former ruling party, BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain Sunday questioned veracity of Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokno's remarks that detained Khaleda Zia now stands for the party's reunification. Addressing a press conference at his NAM apartment, where he aired the doubts, Delwar demanded release of the party chairperson and former Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, and her two sons for their better treatment.

Khokon, a counsel for Begum Zia and her two sons, met the BNP chairperson at the makeshift jail last Friday and told reporters that she wants unity of BNP and nationalist forces in the nation's interest.

But, Delwar cast doubts on Khokon's talks to journalists and questioned why he did not first convey the outcome of discussion to them before disclosing all this to the press.

" I doubt if such political discussion is possible in jail. If so happened, why he would disclose the outcome of such conversations to journalists before communicating to me," the BNP secretary general said.

Delwar also questioned Khokon's meeting with acting BNP chairperson Saifur Rahman for one and half an hour before he met with Begum Zia. The newly appointed BNP secretary general apparently made party unity conditional, as he said he would abide by any decision of the chairperson regarding the unity process but those who got derailed would have to correct themselves first and return to the party as per party constitution.

"Madam does not believe that BNP is divided… She will take the decisions if the disgruntled leaders want to come back," said Delwar, who replaced Mannan Bhuiyan when the latter was sacked by the party chief for his reformist stand amid a storm in the country's political arena after the last January changeover.

He said Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko are ill and they should be given better medical treatment. "Otherwise, they should be released immediately."

When contacted, Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon told UNB that he had prior meeting with Khandaker Delwar and conveyed his message to Begum Zia at the jail.

He disclosed that similar messages from BNP leaders Goyeswar Chandra Roy and Mohammad Shajahan were conveyed to Begum Zia during his meeting.

"I don't believe that Delwar saheb can speak against me. He knows me very well. Perhaps he has been misguided by vested groups within BNP," Khokon said.

In reply to a question, he said he stands by what he stated to

reporters after meeting with Begum Zia regarding the unity of BNP. "Madam wants unity of BNP and nationalist forces in the interest of the country," he said, adding if anyone has any doubt about it, they can check with Begum Zia through lawyers.

"I don't understand why Khandaker Delwar spoke against me," Khokon said and refuted Delwar's remarks that he had prior meeting with Saifur Rahman before going to Khaleda Zia. " I haven't even met Saifur Rahman for last two years," he categorically said. Barrister Khokon mentioned that he has been working as a lawyer of Begum Zia, Tarique and Koko since 1996. And he is dealing with all cases of Begum Zia, six cases of Tarique and two cases of Koko.