"All reform proposals will be discuss openly in party forums and council sessions," she said in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star yesterday.

About the call for her to leave the top post of the party, she said, "I was elected the chairperson by the council. Anyone can contest for the post and even become the chairperson of the party if the council elects [him/her]."

The former premier denies having made any decision unilaterally and said she used to consult the senior cabinet members and the standing committee leaders on how to run the country as well as the party.

When The Daily Star recently tried to interview the BNP chairperson, she suggested sending written questions, as journalists have no access to her cantonment house. The Daily Star sent a questionnaire to her and she replied in writing.

DS: What do you think about reforms in the political parties? As a party chief what will be your first step to that end?

Khaleda Zia: Reform is an ongoing process. BNP had initiated reforms long back and paved the way for multiparty democracy in Bangladesh.

I believe it is only through reforms that a political party can survive the test of time in a fast developing country.

Reforms in a political party are always in the interest of the people and the nation. But they should come from within the party, not be imposed from outside. I prefer committees for reforms before lifting of ban on indoor politics. All reform proposals shall be discussed openly in party forums and council sessions. I welcome any suggestion for reforms from my party leaders and workers from across the country.

DS: Lt Gen (retired) Mahbubur Rahman has suggested that you either step down from the post of chairperson or retire from politics for the sake of democratic reforms in BNP. How do you respond to this? Do you have any plans to quit politics?

KZ: Lt Gen Mahbubur Rahman is a newcomer to the party and is not fully aware of the BNP constitution.

I am an elected chairperson by the council which is the supreme body to decide on any changes in the party. All will get opportunity to participate in the discussions.

My entrance to politics was through public support and I am grateful to all my leaders, workers and the countrymen for their trust and love for me and BNP.

Gradually with public support I transformed BNP into a more popular, people-oriented and a stronger party. BNP is a party for the people and by the people. I was elected as a chairperson in the party council. Anyone can contest and prove popularity, whomever the council elects becomes the chairperson. During the time of my recent news of leaving the country, the party leaders and workers wanted me to stay in Bangladesh and lead the party for a better future. I have discussed party reforms which would bring more democratic ideas, with them, at different times.

I am grateful to my partymen and countrymen for their love for me, Shahid Zia and BNP.

The truth of dedication towards BNP lies in the history of the last few elections. Inshallah, BNP shall be a more modern and popular party in the future.

DS: Your unilateral decision to make your brother Syeed Iskander a vice-president of BNP has evoked criticism even within your party. What do you think about that?

KZ: The decision was taken in consultation with the leaders. He is not new in BNP politics. Reforms in the party shall review all issues.

He was already holding a post in BNP. All vacant posts in standing committee and other committees were filled up in consultation and discussion with leaders of the party.

DS: What is your reaction to corruption charges levelled against both of your sons?

KZ: False, fabricated and baseless charges have been brought to tarnish the image of Zia family. However I respect law of the land and expect fair and proper trial.

Late President Zia has sacrificed his life for the country and his family worked endlessly for the country and its people. I am proud of the gratitude I see in the eyes of the millions in villages of Bangladesh.

I have dedicated my life for BNP and the people of Bangladesh. I see the same dedication and love for motherland in the eyes and vision of Zia generation.

It's unfortunate to see the false allegations given against a dedicated worker of BNP who really started reform with a vision at the grassroots levels of BNP through a democratic process.

DS: The detained leaders of your party reportedly claimed that corruption by your family members is responsible for the present situation of the country. What do you say?

KZ: The allegations and blame game is not true and fair. Cabinet members are responsible for running their ministries. So the blame has to be shared by all.

Family members were not involved in running the ministries. Ministers were responsible for their ministries and they were free to take their own decision. Now these are false and fabricated allegations.

DS: It is alleged that you avoided or ignored advice of senior party leaders and ministers on different issues. What is your comment?

KZ: Since introduction of parliamentary form of govt all decisions were taken collectively in the cabinet. Particularly I used to consult senior leaders of the cabinet and standing committee.

Party decisions were always taken in consultation with standing committee members. Govt. decisions were always taken in consultation and discussion with my cabinet colleagues. I never believe in unilateral decision.

DS: Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan is leading an effort inside BNP to form a new platform by removing you and your family members. What do you know about the move?

KZ: Mr. Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan has been the secretary general for 10 years or more. I don't believe he will take responsibility of breaking a historic party like BNP. Reforms will bring necessary changes in the party structure in consultation with party leaders and approved by councils. As soon as the ban on indoor politics is lifted I shall convene meetings of various committees of the party and start dialogue.

DS: Have you given Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan any proposal for negotiations?

KZ: My door is always open for discussion for the greater interest of the party. As BNP secretary general, Mr. Mannan Bhuiyan is supposed to keep the party workers and leaders united at this hour.

DS: Many of your long-time colleagues reportedly plan to have a BNP minus you. If it comes about, what will you do?

KZ: BNP has strong support base at the grassroots level. The leaders and workers of this party are dedicated and united. I don't believe that any body leaving the party can harm BNP would remain sold and united and emerge stronger than before. This can be judged from the past history of BNP. There might be another party or parties but not BNP.

DS: Many BNP leaders have been arrested. What action will you take against the "corrupted" party leaders?

KZ: As per the BNP constitution no corrupt leaders have any place in party. If convicted through fair and proper trial, action will be taken as per the BNP constitution.

DS: How do you see the efforts to float a new political party?

KZ: We have multiparty democracy in Bangladesh and everybody has the right to float a party. However, the nation would scrutinise the newcomers, their past records, ability to lead before accepting them.

Late president Zia introduced multiparty system in the country.

I encourage political leaders to be united and engage themselves to strengthen the party through reforms instead of defecting from their own party.

In the past, many senior leaders had defected from BNP but they failed to get people's mandate.

DS: If anyone of your family wishes to get involved in politics in future, what will be your advice?

KZ: Every citizen has the right to take part in politics. But he or she should come through a political process and on the basis of merit and contribution. This is also practised in other countries. My only advice is to keep in mind national interest above self interest and follow ideals of Late President Ziaur Rahman.

Any dedicated political worker enjoying grassroots level approval of his policies shall be successful and sustain in sustain in the future politics of Bangladesh. Politics should be for the welfare of the people. Sacrifice, hard work and love for the people makes a person immortal.

DS: How will you evaluate the present government's rule?

KZ: The present caretaker government is under oath for a fair, neutral and transparent election for which I believe they have initiated reforms in various sectors.

We appreciate the reforms in Election Commission. We had initiated the process of independent ACC and the present government has made it effective. We appreciate their initiative in this sector.

I would particularly comment on the price hike of essentials that brings sufferings to our common people. This is a great challenge which they must tackle effectively.

However, the main attention should be on holding election as soon as possible after completion of an accurate voter list.

DS: Now that you are not in power and there is no active politics in the country, how do you spend your time at home?

KZ: It is true I was very busy in my public life; here I thank the people of Bangladesh and party men from every level for their support which encouraged and inspired me to serve the nation to the best of my ability. Now I have plenty of time to think and evaluate the different stages of party structure and how to modernise and organise BNP in a more democratic way.

I need cooperation for reforms and have asked party law experts and dedicated leaders to analyse the party structure for more democratic reforms.

This will help me to prepare for the future. I have full faith in Allah and trust the love of the people of Bangladesh and my BNP party men. I am also giving some time to my family especially me grand daughters.

I spend little more time for my prayers Reading different books, also: religious books.

DS: Is there any restriction on your movement?

KZ: Bangladesh is a democratic country with strong belief in human rights for all citizens. And everyone has the right to free movement.