The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Pro-Khaleda faction BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain yesterday said independence and sovereignty of the country is now under threats while conspiracy is being hatched to destroy the ideals of nationalism.

Addressing a discussion meeting as chief guest to mark the observance of Independence and National Day, he said the present government has no legal basis since it is running the country ignoring the Constitution.

He pointed out that as per the Constitution the Caretaker government is supposed to hand over power to an elected government after holding the national election within 90 days, but it has failed to hold the polls even in 15 months.

The meeting organised by Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal was held at the National Press Club auditorium with its Vice-President Advocate Abdus Salam in the chair. Khondoker Delwar Hossain accused the government of remaining busy with preparations for holding the upazila and municipality elections keeping aside the general elections. The people of the country will not accept such move, he cautioned.

Regretting that the nation has passed one year and a half without Parliament, he said power was snatched from elected government time and again. Expressing his doubt whether the election would be held within the stipulated time, the BNP Secretary General asked what will be the situation in the country if the election was not held by 2008.

He called upon all to get united and take a vow to protect the independence and sovereignty of the country at any cost. BNP Standing Committee Member Dr RA Gani emphasised the need for forging national unity to overcome the present crisis.

He recalled the contribution of sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives for the independence of the country.

BNP Joint Secretary Goyesher Chandra Roy said the BNP could join the informal dialogue only if there is guarantee to allow party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia to join the formal dialogue.

He, however, stressed the need for holding dialogue with political parties and warned the country would plunge into still deeper crisis if the government failed to organise talks.

The meeting was addressed, among others, by BNP leaders Md Shajahan, Syed Mehdi Ahmed Rumi, Rizvi Ahmed and Shamsuzzaman Dudu.