"It is known to all that such type of organisation always divides because of conflict over leadership," he said while he was addressing a press conference at Jatiya Pres Club yesterday.

He called upon the lawyers to attend the forum's national conference on January 19 instead of a conference called by his opponent group on January 7.

"There might be some differences of opinion in a democratic organisation but we should not divide our forum," he said, adding that the main objective of the national conference is to bring dynamism and give the forum a democratic shape.

Referring to the leader of his opponent group T H Khan, Huda ruled out any basic difference with him as he was the chief advisor of the convening committee led by me.

"The forum was divided because I wanted to change a 15-year-old committee to bring dynamism and democracy," he said. The national convention will unite the conflicting groups and elect a new leadership, he added.

In reply to a question, Huda said the party high command supports both the groups and will recognise whichever group will be successful in the election.

He said both the groups can contest the election in two panels. "We will accept as our leader whichever panel wins the election," he said.

Huda said his group has formed an election commission comprising five senior lawyers and also ready to accept five other members from opponent group for holding fair election.

The ruling party backed lawyers have been divided into two groups few months back and Telecommunication Minister Aminul Haque is backing the opponent group.