BNP, Jamaat on their own now

BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami will now work from their own standpoint as the four-party alliance was formed for elections only, BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain said yesterday.
He also said efforts to rebuild the party have already begun, and they will culminate in fresh leadership coming up through councils.
He was speaking to reporters at his NAM flat in the afternoon.
Criticising the Election Commission's decision to deploy army in the January 22 upazila election, Delwar said, “It's not a good sign. The upcoming election might be conducted like the national election was.”
The process to revamp BNP down to the grassroots level is underway in line with the party constitution, he said.
"Our Chairperson Khaleda Zia has already started exchanging views with district- and upazila-level leaders," he added.
Replying to a query, the veteran BNP leader said the four-party alliance was meant for elections only. "From now on, we'll work from our own standpoint."
He said, "In the past, no opposition parties had joined parliament in the first session. We want to break with that tradition. We'll strive to play a constructive role from the outset."
Asked what would be their response if the ruling party seeks to restore the 1972's constitution, he said, “We'll keep speaking for the country and people.”
Meanwhile, in a statement yesterday the BNP secretary general expressed worries over 'continuing attacks on their leaders and workers by Awami League men'.