Hannan says he is ready to meet Saifur

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's adviser Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah yesterday said he is ready to meet Saifur Rahman, leader of the other faction of the party, if the latter invites him.
"Although many people are scared of having tea at his [Saifur] house, I shall surely go there if he invites me," Hannan told reporters at his Mohakhali residence.
Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, secretary general of the party faction led by M Saifur Rahman, said on Tuesday that Hannan Shah could meet Saifur to discuss the issue of bringing unity in the party.
Responding to another comment of Hafiz that the BNP standing committee members should take the responsibility to run the party, Hannan said most committee members, executive committee leaders and grassroots level leaders and workers are not with the Saifur-led group.
"How can he claim himself as the acting secretary general of the party?" Hannan said.
BNP acting Office Secretary Rizvi Ahmed said Khaleda Zia appointed Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain is not aware of Hannan's initiative to unite the party.
"I have talked to Delwar Hossain and discussed the issue of bringing unity in the party," he said.
Replying to a question on the much-talked-about letter Hannan Shah had sent to Saifur, Hannan said he could not discuss the content of the letter with the party secretary general as he went to Singapore for treatment.
Rizvi said Khandaker Delwar represents the party and only he can make the final decision regarding anything.
"The secretary general does not know if Hannan Shah gave Saifur Rahman any proposal to unite the party," Rizvi said.
Hannan, however, said all BNP leaders are not involved in the unity process and Rizvi is also not aware of it.
Former lawmaker Sohrab Uddin, former Chhatra Dal president Habib Un Nabi Sohel and Chhatra Dal General Secretary Shafiul Bari Babu, among others, were present at Hannan Shah's house.