Dhaka: Just before the announcement of the framework of greater national unity, a rift has developed between Dr Kamal Hossain and Dr Badruddoza Chowdhury as they called for separate press conferences today (Saturday) to clear their positions.

Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, led by Dr Kamal, will hold a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club at 6pm while B Chowdhury will brief media at his residence half-an hour later, reports the UNB.

Earlier on Friday night, the leaders of BNP, Jukta Front and Jatiya Oikya Prokriya finalised a draft framework of greater national unity with identical demands and goals to force the government to hold a fair and neutral election.

The senior leaders of BNP and the two alliances were scheduled to hold a meeting at Dr Kamal Hossain’s residence this afternoon to finalise the framework of the greater national unity and make it public.

B Chowdhury and some Bikolpo Dhara leaders, including Mahi B Chowdhury, went to join the meeting at Kamal’s residence around 3:30pm only to find the door of the house shut from outside.
Later talking to reporters, Mahi B Chowdhury said it its discourteous to keep the door shut after inviting a former President. ‘This incident has exposed who are against the unity.’

He said they will hold a press conference at 6:30pm in their residence to make their stance on the unity clear.

BNP sources said Dr Kamal Hossain held a meeting with BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, JSD president ASM Rob, Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna at his Motijheel chamber around 2:30pm.

At the meeting, they decided to hold a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club around 6pm.

Manna and Rod had long been there in Jukta Front, led by B Chowdhury, to forge the national unity.