"He (the president) has saved the nation from a catastrophe by taking this decision," Bhuiyan said at a press briefing at the party's Naya Paltan office in the capital after attending a joint meeting with the party leaders.

The president and chief adviser to the caretaker government took the right decision, which he was compelled to take. Otherwise, the public sufferings would worsen, The BNP leader observed.

When his attention was drawn on a number of advisers' opposition to the president's decision on army deployment, Bhuiyan said, "I don't know whether the advisers opposed the decision or not".

At the meeting, BNP finalised programmes for observing the Martyred Intellectual Day and National Victory Day on December 14 and 16.

The programmes include discussion, placing floral wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar and Martyred Intellectual Mausoleum at Mirpur, cultural programmes, rallies and colourful processions.

Meanwhile, Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujahid in a statement yesterday said the President's decision to deploy the army for improving the law and order situation is correct and timely.

He said 14-party was involved in conspiracy to foil the election enforcing blockade programme. He said Justice KM Hasan has expressed disinclination to take the charge of the chief adviser, CEC has gone on leave, EC has changed the schedule, huge officials have already been transferred and correction of the voter list has begun. But 14-party is raising demands one after another, he added.