BNP may expel a few reformists

BNP might expel a few more leaders from the party on disciplinary grounds since they were vocal about bringing reforms in it during the immediate past caretaker government's tenure, party insiders said.

A number of young leaders of the party met Chairperson Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office on Tuesday night, and requested her to take stern action against some persons including her adviser Maj Gen (retd) Z A Khan, who are known as 'reformists', they (insiders) said.

The leaders alleged that ZA Khan is now working with expelled BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan to float a new political party.

BNP standing committee will sit soon, and might take decisions in this regard, sources said.

Asked about the allegation against him last night, Z A Khan declined to make any comment.

DELWAR AT SRAMIK DAL RALLY
Protesting the prime minister's statement in parliament, BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain said yesterday it is not BNP but Awami League (AL) which started politics of killing in the country.

"They [AL] killed many innocent people including freedom fighters using the so-called Rakhkhibahini after the Liberation War," he said while addressing a rally in front of the party central office at Nayapaltan, organised by Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal.

Delwar alleged that the prime minister was telling lies against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in parliament. She is doing so just to make the House ineffective, he said.

BNP leaders Abdullah al Noman, Selima Rahman and Zafrul Hasan, among others, were present at the rally chaired by Nazrul Islam Khan.

Earlier in the afternoon, Delwar attended a meeting of the party's national committee for observing the 'national revolution and solidarity day' on November 7 at the party office.

BNP observes the day every year, and had declared public holiday on November 7 when it was in power.

But the ruling Awami League will observe the day as 'freedom fighter killing day'.

Delwar alleged that AL intends to destroy the significance of November 7.