Khaleda to inform EC soon of her views

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Detained BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will soon write to the Election Commission (EC) to clarify her stance on the party constitution and leadership.

Her views regarding the leadership though remain the same as before, said a lawyer of the former premier yesterday.

Shortly before her arrest on September 3, Khaleda expelled Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and replaced him with Khandaker Delwar Hossain as the secretary general.

“She will inform the Election Commission of her position through the jail authorities,” Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas yesterday told the newsman after meeting the BNP chief at the sub-jail in Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban complex.

“She has called on the party

leaders and workers to work in unison with patience at this critical juncture,” he added.

Asked what they have discussed during the meeting from 2:00pm to 3:45pm, he said they have talked about many issues including constitutions of the country and the party, and cases.

Declining to elaborate on them, he said, “We will let you know later.”

“As a former prime minister she talked about the country’s constitution and as BNP chairperson she talked about the party constitution. She has asked those concerned to provide legal aid to the detained leaders and workers across the country,” Shimul Biswas said.

“She also gave me a letter of authority to look after the cases against her,” he added.

Questioned what she [Khaleda Zia] thinks about the latest changes in the party leadership, he said, “Her views over the matter remain the same.”

Meanwhile, queried if the commission would seek Khaleda’s opinion about the latest developments regarding the BNP leadership, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday said they would do so if necessary.

After a meeting with a delegation led by BNP chairperson’s Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah, he said the EC has yet to decide on which faction to invite for the dialogue.

Asked what about the two election commissioners’ leaving Dhaka for the UK today [Monday], the CEC said he can take the decision unilaterally now that they [two commissioners] have given their opinion.

“I have already looked into the BNP constitution but I want to know more in this regard,” he observed.

Earlier, Hannan Shah submitted a letter to the CEC requesting him to invite Khandaker Delwar Hossain, the secretary general appointed by Khaleda Zia, to the ongoing talks on electoral reforms.

“I hope the commission will invite Khandaker Delwar in line with its policy and taking into account the BNP constitution,” he told reporters.

About the warring factions, he said “There is only one BNP and that remains united under the leadership of Khaleda Zia.”

Among others, former lawmakers Akhtaruzzaman, Moazzem Hossain Alal, Ashraf Uddin Nizam, Sohrab Uddin, Shirin Sultana, Abdul Momin Talukder, Abul Kalam Azad, Mujibur Rahman and acting office secretary Rizvi Ahmed were present at the hour-long meeting.

In another development, 14 former BNP lawmakers yesterday urged the EC to invite Khandaker Delwar to the dialogue.

In a statement issued by former lawmaker Maj (retd) Akhtaruzzaman, they called on the leaders and workers to remain united against all conspiracies.

They also requested the authorities to hand over power to the elected representatives as soon as possible.

The statement contained names of Amanullah Chowdhury, Ataur Rahman, Abdul Khaleque, Nurul Amin Bhuiyan, Abul Kalam, Rahima Khandaker, Abdul Halim, Rezwanul Haque, Momotaz Begum, Hamida Khatun, ATM Nurul Bashar, Mujibur Rahman and Atiar Rahman.

On Saturday, 122 former BNP lawmakers in a joint statement expressed solidarity with Delwar Hossain.

Of them, Maj (retd) Manjur Quader and Ziaul Haque in separate statements yesterday said they did not sign any statement.

“Nobody contacted me and I did not sign any statement,” Manjur said.

Ziaul Haque said only a few former lawmakers are with Delwar whereas 106 have faith in the leadership of Saifur Rahman and Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

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