BNP seeks unity in party, among parties

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BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday called for united movement of all political parties to salvage the country from the ‘current deep crises’, two days after his Awami League counterpart ruled out such a notion.

He said intra-party and inter-party unity is a must to restore democracy.

“A united movement is now the only way to overcome the existing crises,” Delwar said while talking to reporters at his Nam flat in the capital.

On acting Awami League (AL) General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam’s remark that they would not go for any joint movement with the BNP and the Jamaat, Delwar said, “For God’s sake, say yes to unity in the public interest.”

“We want unity to ensure election as it is not possible for any party to overcome the current crises alone. If people vote for you (AL), you’ll go to power and we’ll sit on the opposition bench,” he said.

Delwar said the government has arrested thousands of political activists, mostly belonging to the BNP and the Awami League, in the name of drive against terror acts.

”The government is arresting political activists in a bid to retain power and to loot more,” he said adding that even though indoor politics is now allowed, the administration is drawing up lists of those leaders and workers who show up at party offices.

He said they asked the government to lift the emergency rules and release the two former prime ministers in order to create a congenial atmosphere for a meaningful dialogue and for an acceptable election.

But the government turns a deaf ear to the demands, he said.

“Khaleda Zia has now said that the dialogue is nothing but a stage-managed drama. A dialogue with an unelected government will not produce any positive outcome,” he said.

Hinting at military interference in politics and governance, the BNP secretary general said Bangladesh has been subject to repeated threats after its birth which resulted in the lack of democratic practices.

“Changes would usher in political practices if we could hold at least five to seven general elections without any interference.”

Asked about the termination of Dhaka City unit BNP committee, he said the committee was dissolved on orders of the party chairperson.

Everything in the party would happen in accordance with the direction of the chairperson, he added.

Standing committee member RA Gani, Vice President Sarwari Rahman, joint secretaries general Selima Rahman and Abdul Mannan, acting office secretary Rizvi Ahmed, among others, were present.

Earlier, leaders of reconstituted Sylhet district unit BNP met Delwar at his flat.

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