The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The just released former prime minister and BNP Chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday announced that her party would take part in dialogue and elections.

Talking to journalists at the party's central office at Naya Paltan in the city, first time after her release, Begum Zia demanded of the Government for withdrawal of the state of emergency to create congenial atmosphere for elections and hold parliament election first before upazila election.

"We do not want upazila election before national elections," she said.

The BNP Chairperson said the state of emergency should be lifted because holding a credible election is not possible under the emergency.

After reaching the party office at about 4:15pm, Begum Zia held a meeting with party's standing-committee members.

Terming the BNP a pro-election party, she said the BNP believes in dialogue and her party would go to dialogue and take part in the upcoming elections if the government creates a congenial atmosphere.

On division in the BNP, Begum Zia said that her party is an united party and there are no divisions in it. She called upon her party leaders and activists to work together.

She said the four-party alliance still remains intact and the alliance would take part in the polls unitedly.

Begum Zia, three-time prime minister, firmly said that the four-party alliance would make a comeback to power with the mandate of the people if the elections are held in a free and fair manner.

Telling journalists about the condition of her son, she broke down in tears and said physicians advised sending him abroad on emergency basis.

The BNP Chairperson announced that Tarique Rahman would not conduct any political activity during his stay abroad.

"Tarique wanted to be relieved of political activities as well as of his political posts. He won't perform any political activity unless he recovers from his illness," she said.

Quoting from doctors, she said Tarique has to stay abroad for his treatment for a long time.

BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain, SQ Chowdhury, ASM Hannan Shah and Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, among others, were present.