The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain yesterday upheld the decision of BNP not to join the Election Commission (EC) dialogue, scheduled for yesterday.

He told reporters after meeting recently released BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital.

Replying to a question, the BNP Secretary General held the EC and authorities concerned responsible for disrupting the polls, not the BNP.

"We are prepared to take part in the dialogue and the elections if a congenial atmosphere is created," he said.

Meanwhile, lawyers of Tarique Rahman yesterday applied for a UK visa for him.

"Process of the visa application has started; we hope to let you know about it in the afternoon," said Tarique's lawyer Ahmed Azam Khan.

According to him, Tarique's wife Zobaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman have also applied for UK visas.

The lawyer said they could also apply for US and Germany visas for Tarique.

Tarique Rahman was released on bail on September 3 and remains under treatment at the BSMMU Hospital. He might be sent to UK or Germany for treatment.

Tarique's physician Dr Kazi Mazharul Islam Dolon, who is also a member of the medical board formed for Tarique Rahman, told reporters that his back pain had worsened yesterday.

He requests the visitors to stay away from meeting Tarique as he has been advised to take complete bed rest until his departure for treatment abroad.