The BNP has selected Paltan Maidan as the venue of inaugural gathering of its much-awaited national council. The business sessions will be held at Bangabandhu Friendship Convocation Centre at Sher-e-Banglanagar, party sources said. Top leaders of all political parties, including Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, will be invited to attend the inaugural session of the council, said a joint secretary general of BNP.

He said a number of political leaders abroad will also be invited to join the inaugural session. Meanwhile, the preparation for the council is getting momentum as all 12 sub-committees now are working in full swing to make the council a grand success. The sub-committees are meeting at party central office almost everyday. Party's Naya Paltan central office has become alive with gathering of huge numbers of leaders and activists everyday. Local leaders and active workers from different districts are visiting the central office regularly to lobby for their inclusion in the committees.

The sub-committee on constitution and declaration has already finalised its recommendations. Sub-committee chief and vice president of the party Tariqul Islam yesterday submitted the report to party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia for her consideration. A member of the sub-committee told this correspondent that with this the responsibility of the committee is almost complete. Convenor of sub-committee on publicity and BNP joint secretary general Goyeshwar Chandra Roy said he is meeting with his committee members almost everyday. "We have already finalised the matters for publishing the posters for the council," he said.

BNP Chairperson's Adviser and convenor of the sub-committee on disciplinary actions Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah said his committee has had five meetings so far. Names for volunteers have been sought from different associate organisations of the party including Chhatra Dal, Juba Dal and Mohila Dal. On formation of committee at different level, he expressed his hope that most the committees would be completed before the council. Asked about accommodating mechanism of so called reformists, Hannan Shah, known as outspoken leader, said it depends on the electorates whomever they like. They can elect a reformist or anyone even a leader accused with corruption if they like, he said.

Dhaka City Mayor and convenor of the sub-committee on refreshment Sadeque Hossain Khoka said that he has had several meetings of the committee. When contacted BNP Standing Committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain told The New Nation last night that all preparation to make the council a success is going ahead satisfactorily. The long-awaited council of the opposition BNP will be held at the historic Paltan Maidan on December 8.

-New Nation