M Saifur Rahman, acting chairperson appointed by the BNP standing committee, yesterday met pro-Khaleda leader Rizvi Ahmed in efforts to work out ways to reunite the party.
The same day, detained Chairperson Khaleda Zia's counsel Mahbub Uddin Khokon said the former prime minister considers Khandaker Delwar Hossain-led committee as her committee.
He said the BNP chief yesterday told him that she sent a letter to the Election Commission (EC) through jail authorities on November 5. But strangely, that did not reach the commission.
Had the letter made it to the EC, there would not have been the stalemate over which faction to participate in the dialogue on electoral reforms, she reasoned.
Meanwhile, insiders said Khandaker Delwar Hossain, the secretary general appointed by the chairperson, sent Rizvi to Saifur in response to the former finance minister's proposal for discussion on how to go about reconciliation between the warring factions.
Saifur Rahman in his proposal also said he is ready to leave the post of acting chairman in the interests of the party unity.
During the meeting at his Gulshan residence, Saifur said he would accept Khaleda and Delwar as chairperson and secretary general, said a pro-reform leader requesting not to be named.
Approached, acting office secretary Rizvi Ahmed, however, declined to make any comment.
Pro-Khaleda leaders say all except those expelled can return to the party anytime. But the decision on Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and Ashraf Hossain, who were expelled from the party by Khaleda Zia, rests with the chairperson.
Saifur and a few other senior leaders and former lawmakers did not attend Wednesday's meeting at the residence of Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, acting secretary general appointed by the standing committee.
Meeting sources said the pro-reform leaders observed that they would not accept any condition to be attached to the reunification. They want withdrawal of the expulsion orders against Mannan Bhuiyan and Ashraf, former secretary general and joint secretary general.
Talking to the reporters Wednesday, Hafiz said intra-party reforms and unity should come in tandem.
"The ball is in their [pro-Khaleda faction] court now since Saifur Rahman has already given them a proposal," he added.
Earlier on December 1, Saifur talked to Delwar over phone and urged him to take the initiative in the efforts to unite the party.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Khaleda at the sub-jail on Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises yesterday, Mahbub Uddin Khokon said the former prime minister has called on everyone to work for the unity of BNP.
"The party must stay united for the sake of the country, its independence and sovereignty. She asked me to communicate the message to the leaders," he said.
He added, "She also told me that Delwar-led committee, for which Hannan Shah too is working, is her committee."
On Thursday night, the lawyer met Saifur at his residence, said sources.