The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rafiqul Islam Azad

The unity process between two factions of the BNP, popularly known as pro-Khaleda and pro-reformist, is now at the final stage and an announcement in this regard may come at any time, informed sources said.

Hectic meetings among the senior leaders of both the factions are being held at different places in the city for the last couple of days to formulate the unity process.

BNP Chairperson's Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah yesterday told reporters that the unity process is at the final stage and a joint declaration will be announced anytime.

Earlier, he held a meeting with pro-reformist leader and former minister Dr Osman Farruk at a residence of a BNP leader at Gulshan.

Dr Osman Farruk termed the meeting fruitful and said the unity is a matter of time.

"You will see the unity soon," he said.

Lt Gen Mahbubur Rahman, coordinator of pro-reformist faction of BNP said, the BNP would be united and we will join the dialogue together.

Meanwhile, Dhaka City Mayor and BNP leader Sadeque Hossain Khoka and ZA Khan yesterday met with former secretary general of the party Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and talked about the unity process.

The outspoken BNP leader Hannan Shah had taken the fresh unity move following the statement of Saifur Rahman, acting president of reformist faction, that he is no longer chairman of the party rather Begum Zia is the Chairperson of the BNP.

As part of the move he has held an exclusive meeting with Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and discussed the unity process.

Sources said, the reformist factions has agreed to cancel the decision of October 29 meeting from where the reformist faction was created.