BNP leader Hafiz dismisses rumour of floating new party
Staff Reporter :
The main opposition party-BNP Vice-Chairman, Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, on Wednesday dismissed the possibility of forming a new political party by leaving the BNP.
“I have lost interest in politics as I am physically sick for a long time. I am taking preparations to go abroad for receiving medical treatment,” he said at a press conference at his Banani home in the capital.
His comment came amid rumor that the BNP leader might form a new party by splitting BNP or he might join a political party to take part in the upcoming general election under the ruling Awami League government while BNP, along with its allies, have launched a tougher movement demanding the upcoming national election under a neutral government.
The speculation spread mainly after information minister Hasan Mahmud’s Monday comment that many people were standing in line to join Trinamool BNP and that another party, led by former BNP minister Hafiz, was going to be formed.
In this backdrop, the former minister, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, called a press conference at his home on Wednesday to clarify his stand.
He said that he could not cast his vote in the past two elections.
“I am an unimportant person in BNP’s politics. I have not found any remedy anywhere. The party [BNP] issued a show cause notice on me with 11 lighthearted allegations. I had no connection with Shaukat Mahmood.
But the party issued the show cause notice connecting me with Shaukat Mahmood which was a insulting matter to me,” Hafiz said.
Major (retd) Hafiz said that BNP should participate in the next general polls.
He, however, suggested the BNP to consider alternative system shunning the demand of the caretaker government as it might not work.
“Instead of insisting on a caretaker government, alternative solutions should be sought,” Hafiz said.
“If the polls are fair, BNP will come to power. Because, BNP is the most popular party,” he said.
The veteran leader said that fair and inclusive polls are not possible under the political party government.
He suggested that the BNP should go for election under UN’s mediation.
He expressed hope that the army will be in the field during the next election.
Hafiz also said that he would retire from politics soon due to physical reasons.
He dismissed the rumor of forming new political party or leave BNP for joining another party which the Information minister had claimed.
“I want to stay with this party [BNP] till the end of my life,” Hafiz reiterated.
Meanwhile, he asked the party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman for bringing discipline in the party.
He also has criticized the party leaders for not conducting council in the last eight years.
