The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

An extended meeting of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) yesterday decided to send a formal letter within two days to the Chief Advisor to release party's detained chairperson Khaleda Zia before March 26.

The meeting held at Dhanmondi house of BNP standing committee member Dr RA Gani also demanded to release Khaleda and her two sons Tarique and Koko before the Independence Day on March 26 showing respect to slain President Ziaur Rahman who proclaimed the independence.

This is for the first time BNP held an extended meeting chaired by RA Gani since the state of emergency was imposed on January 11 last year. Two other standing committee members M Shamsul Islam and Advocate Khandaker Mahbub Uddin Ahmed, Chairperson's advisor Brig (retd) Hannan Shah, joint secretaries Goyeswar Chandra Roy, Selima Rahman and Prof MA Mannan, 25 former BNP MPs and leaders of Chhatra Dal, Juba Dal, Mahila Dal, Sramik Dal, Kirshak Dal, Sweccha Sebak Dal, Olama Dal, Zia parishad and JASAS attended the meeting.

In reply to a question about BNP's unity, Dr Gani said "We feel we

are united and BNP remains united."

The meeting has drawn up a 5-day programme for BNP central committee to celebrate the Independence Day.

The programmes include hoisting national and party flags, placing wreaths at National Mausoleum at Savar and Zia's mazar and holding discussion at Engineers Institute. The party's district and upazila units will observe the day by hoisting national and party flags and discussions.