The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Former BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan said yesterday that there would be no more division in the party if Khaleda Zia was released.

Talking to reporters about proposed reforms to the troubled party at his Gulshan home, the leader said changes could be made through discussions in the party council after release of the party chairperson.

Bhuiyan, who was released on bail Wednesday, said there was misunderstanding among the reformists of the party resulting in a string of confusion.

The leader said he believed unity in the party was urgent.

"Unity among the nationalist forces is very important, and the BNP will contest the next election unitedly," he said.

He, a former LGRD minister, welcomed a recent verdict by the High Court that local government elections could go political.

The High Court on Thursday ruled unconstitutional and illegal the restrictions on participation by political parties in local government elections.