BNP rejects unity talks with reformists

Dhaka, May 18 (UNI) The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has apparently decided not to make any negotiation with the reformists, adding that the ''dissident leaders have to return to the party unconditionally,'' party sources said.

BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday said there was no need for any negotiation or holding of any meeting for the unity as they could return to the party by confessing to their mistakes and cancelling the October 29 divisive decision.

Talking to the newspersons at his NAM apartment residence he also pointed out that since there was no 'disunity' in the party, the meeting for 'unity' was meaningless.

Mr Delwar, who was made secretary general by the party chief before Khaleda's arrest to replace Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, said those who worked for BNP must be evaluated.

''If anyone was neglected in the party in the past, that wouldn't be repeated in future,'' he said, adding, ''Opportunists will not be accommodated in future.'' The cancellation of a meeting on unity move scheduled to be held on Thursday at a city hotel caught the reformists offgurad.

Earlier, it was decided that the BNP secretary general and the acting secretary general of the reformist faction Major (Rtd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed would discuss the modalities of the unity at the crucial meeting.

When asked, Major Hafiz on Friday admitted that the scheduled meeting was cancelled as Mr Hossain informed them that he was not joining it.

''BNP is united under the leadership of chairperson Khaleda Zia.

The question of joint declaration for unification does not arise since there is no disunity in the party,'' Mr Delwar told The Independent, adding that a certain quarter had wanted to create another BNP by breaking the present one but their ill attempts had failed.

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