Dhaka: Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL) President Abdul Kader Siddique on Friday said he met BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Thursday night to discuss the country's overall situation, not to forge any unity.

He also expressed his reservation about BNP's alliance partner Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami saying he will not do politics with the Islamist party, reports UNB.

‘We didn't go there (Khaleda's residence) to make any unity, but to discuss with her the country's situation,’ he told a press conference at KSJL's central office.

He, however, said an initiative is necessary to take for forging a national unity under the current situation of the country, but Jamaat and Gano Bahini which had worked for ousting Bangabandhu government and destabilise the country cannot be there.

On Thursday night, the KSJL chief and his party's some senior leaders met Khaleda at her residence and had over a two-hour meeting.

As part of her party's efforts to forge a united platform against militancy, Khaleda invited Kader Siddique to her residence to discuss how the growing militancy problem can be resisted with united efforts.

At the beginning of the press conference, KSJL presidium member and Kader's wife Nasrin Siddique said, ‘Khaleda Zia had invited us and we went there to forge a national unity to tackle militancy.’

She said her husband told Khaleda that as a freedom fighter he will not be there in any unity platform where there is Jamaat.

‘Under the current circumstances of the country, I think militancy can be eliminated if the pro-liberation forces worked together,’ Nasrin observed.

Later, speaking at the programme, Kader Siddique said, ‘My wife is a very simple person. So her statements are not political and diplomatic. We didn't meet Khaleda to form any unity. She talked about unity. It's a good initiative. We've also given her some proposals.’

He said they suggested Khaleda to abandon Jamaat, and then call upon the Prime Minister for forging an anti-militancy unity.

The KSJL chief thinks Sheikh Hasina should lead the nation during this critical juncture of the country to get rid of militancy problem. ‘I want people's unity, but there'll be no unity leaving out political parties that represent people.’

Kader said he told Khaleda he will not do politics with Jamaat. ‘If Khaleda wants to lead, she has to say it clearly that Jamaat is not there. I also told her Bangabandhu is my affection and existence. We won't be there in any platform if Bangabandhu is ignored and any abusive is hurled at him. She can't celebrate her birthday on the day of assassination of the Father of the Nation, even if it's her real one.’

Asked what Khaleda replied to his proposals, he said, ‘We've to wait to a have a human child for 10 months. There's no need to hurry to have a decision. We'll see what she does.’

Following the terror attack on Gulshan café, Khaleda through a press conference called for forging a national unity, irrespective of party and opinion, to put up a strong resistance against militancy.

But, Awami League leaders have turned down the call, saying a national unity already exists in the country, and unity with BNP is not possible unless it abandons Jamaat.

Despite the ruling party's refusal, BNP has continued it efforts to bring other political parties, out of the Awami League-led alliance, on a united platform, keeping Jamaat out of the process.

BNP insiders said the party has now in touch with the Gana Forum, KSJL, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD Rab) and some other progressive parties to hold an anti-militancy convention.