The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Former BNP secretary general and reformist leader Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday urged the party leaders and activists to get united under the leadership of their detained chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, leaving all differences aside.

Mannan Bhuiyan, who was sacked as party secretary general a day before the arrest of Begum Zia on September 2 since he took the reformist line following the 1/11 changeover made the call in a written statement before leaving his Gulshan residence at about 2:45pm for surrendering to the court.

The BNP leader also called on the party and its supporters to work together in an effort to establish democracy.

Recognising Begum Zia as 'Deshnetri' he said there is no alternative but to unite the nationalist forces under her leadership.

He hoped that BNP should be able to overcome any crisis if the party remains united and Begum Zia and other party leaders would be free soon.

Earlier, Mannan Bhuiyan in an exclusive interview with a news agency said no more division; rather the party is in the process of unity and it will happen soon.

"The split in the party will take people, the country's freedom and sovereignty toward uncertainty and create unrest," he said.

The BNP leader said unity in the party is a must and it is only a matter of time.

"I have faith in the leaders and activists of the party that they will bring an end to all kinds of misunderstandings. We are united under the leadership of Khaleda Zia and will remain so. The unity process is nearing its final stage," he said.

He referred that he joined the party, inspired by the principles of the party founder, Ziaur Rahman. After his death, Khaleda Zia has made the BNP the most popular party through her efficient leadership.

"I had served as secretary general for 11 years under her leadership. I have been working jointly with leaders and activists of the party. I did not work for personal gains. I am not thinking about myself. I want unity in the BNP, as the party is the symbol of national unity and power," he said.

Replying to a question, he said the BNP has overcome many such ordeals before.

"The people are already aware of the role of BNP in the movements against dictatorship and towards the establishing of democracy. Khaleda Zia led all those movements," he observed.