The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The unity process of both the factions of the BNP is yet to make any headway as the leaders of two groups still stick to their previous stand and are to get invitation letter from the Election Commission (EC) in their favour

Acting secretary general of pro-reformist BNP Maj (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed yesterday told The New Nation that they are waiting to get letter from the Election Commission.

"If I am invited, I shall try to participate in the dialogue keeping Khondoker Delwar Hossain and his associates with me," he said.

Pro-Khaleda leader and BNP Chairperson's adviser Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah said if the EC invites Khondoker Delwar Hossain by giving him letter as party secretary general he would be able to join the dialogue unitedly within 72 hours

Calling upon Maj Hafiz to resign from his post, the outspoken BNP leader said if he resigns from the non-existent post the unity process would be expedited.

Briefing journalists Hannan Shah however, said that reformist leader Saifur Rahman proposed him to form a committee to run the party in the absence of detained Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

As per the proposal, he said, the proposed committee will formulate modalities to run the party. "If the proposal is accepted, the reformist leaders will return to the mainstream of BNP," he added.

Meanwhile, Maj Hafiz expressed his ignorance about any condition for the unity process and said it would be clear after the recovery of Saifur Rahman who was admitted to Apollo Hospital on Thursday with multiple health complications.

He said everyone in BNP wants unity and it is possible if all could sit together across the table.

About Hannan Shah's call to him to stand down from the post of acting secretary general, Maj Hafiz said he is senior to Shah in BNP politics and he (Shah) cannot say this.

"We want unconditional unity of the party," he said.

Meanwhile, party sources said the informal talks of the pro-Khaleda faction with the government is likely to be held on Sunday or Monday.

Sources said that Khondoker Delwar led BNP would join the dialogue with the government but the date and time have not been fixied.