Bangladesh News

Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed of pro-reform BNP faction yesterday said the High Court (HC) verdict shows that “he is the lawful secretary general of the party”.

On the other hand, Khandaker Delwar Hossain, secretary general appointed by Chairperson Khaleda Zia, said the ‘mainstream’ BNP has been denied justice through this verdict.

Talking to reporters at his Banani residence, Hafiz said the court’s ruling is not about any particular faction winning or losing. Rather, it is BNP which is winner here.

Pro-Saifur faction distributed sweetmeats to celebrate the HC verdict while those gathered at Delwar’s Nam flat on Manik Miah Avenue looked glum.

“We all are involved in BNP politics. Khaleda Zia is our chairperson and now the High Court verdict has proved I’m the legal secretary general of the organisation,” Hafiz told reporters.

He said, “The Election Commission (EC) has done the right thing sending me the invitation letter.

“We will take the other faction with us to participate in the electoral reforms talks, though the ruling stands in our favour.”

He added, ‘We will soon contact Khandaker Delwar and Hannan Shah, and hopefully there will be a positive response from them.”

Hafiz said he firmly believes the BNP factions would unite and contest the election with their traditional symbol ’sheaf of paddy’.

He said there might be differences of opinion within a large organisation like BNP, but there is no disagreement over the leadership of Khaleda Zia.

Khandaker Delwar Hossain in his reaction said, “In the context of the party constitution and laws, we feel we have been deprived of justice.”

Politics however, he added, does not run on court decisions.

Asked what they would do in response to the latest developments, he said, “We will decide on the next course of action after consultation with lawyers.”

BNP acting office secretary Rizvi Ahmed and former lawmaker Selim Reza Habib, among others, attended the press briefing.

Now detained former prime minister Khaleda Zia filed the petition challenging the validity of the EC’s invitation to BNP acting secretary general Hafizuddin Ahmed for talks on electoral reforms.