Bangladesh News

Chief of pro-khaleda faction of BNP Khandaker Delwar Hossain, yesterday alleged that different government agencies are mounting pressure on party leaders and workers across the country to work for the rival faction led by former finance minister M Saifur Rahman.

A few days ago many former lawmakers of the party were forced to attend a meeting of Saifur-Hafiz faction, Delwar told reporters at his NAM flat in the capital.

He also said union parishad chairmen are being summoned to Dhaka by certain [government] quarters and being briefed to demand local government elections before the national election.

“This is absolutely unexpected and must stop,” he said adding that exerting such influence is completely out of bounds.

Detained BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia appointed Secretary General Delwar said his faction will soon announce an agitation programme demanding release of the party chief.

He condemned reported raids by police on the NAM flats and village homes of the party’s Organising Secretary Mohammad Shahjahan and former lawmaker Sohrab Uddin, claiming that both leaders were harassed as they had sided with the detained chairperson.

Replying to a question from a reporter, Delwar lambasted the chief election commissioner (CEC) for his recent 72-hour ultimatum for reunification to the rival factions of BNP, saying that the CEC has no mandate to talk about unity of a party.

“Who is he to talk about unification? The party is run by its constitution. The people will not accept anything imposed from outside.”

“The Election Commission would invite us to the talks if they were able to take the decision independently,” he said.

Delwar asked his party leaders and workers to give away a day’s meal to the hungry and the distressed across the country between April 28 and 30.

“At this hour of crisis, BNP has decided to stand beside the distressed. As part of our initiative, we have decided to give our one day’s meal to the needy,” he said.