"Now is the time to drive those who are corrupt and involved in criminal activities (out of the party)," Mahi said at a press conference at the National Press Club. Amra Zia Hobo (We want to be Zia), of which Mahi is the president, organised the conference.

The young BNP lawmaker said the coalition government's performance to curb countywide violence is not satisfactory. He declared that he would launch countrywide political programmes and produce programmes for electronic media at the same time against the criminal elements.

Mahi, however, refused to disclose names of the corrupt persons and criminals. He claimed that he had discussed with a number of party lawmakers about the move and all of them supported him.

"Of course not," he replied sharply when asked to disclose the names of lawmakers with whom he had talks on the issue.

"If the BNP high-ups do not allow me to hold the programmes under the banner of Amra Zia Hobo, we will form another such organisation," he warned.

He hoped that the BNP policymakers would let him know shortly what they think about his plan.

Mahi's new plans first surfaced at an Iftar party on November 21, a day before his father made a call to unite the country's civil society members against failure of the present government.

Replying to queries about recent initiatives of his father and Dr Kamal Hossain, Mahi said, "I don't agree with them that the government has failed to govern the country." But, he said Bangladesh was at a critical juncture.

"Being his son we live under the same roof. But I have nothing to do with his political thinking right now. I have my political identity, and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, other leaders of the BNP and also Tareq Rahman are my leaders."

On Dr Kamal Hossain's call, he said, "I am a member of the BNP, a lawmaker of the party and believe in ideology of late president Ziaur Rahman. I have no relation with Dr Kamal's initiatives as the BNP has nothing to do with them."

About apprehension that he may be fired, Mahi said, "I am not uttering even a single word in contrary to party constitution and if anyone can prove so I will accept any punishment. I am not in politics to serve any particular person nor do I believe in family dynasty in politics."

About alleged corruption by Hawa Bhaban, BNP's alternative power centre, Mahi said, "I cannot say anything without specific evidence. A building can do no corruption, persons (there) can be corrupt."

Elaborating on his plan, Mahi said he would organise seminars and workshops and produce special programmes for electronic media to build awareness against corruption and criminal activities. He was optimistic that senior BNP leaders would cooperate with him by joining the programmes.

The programme would begin in the old part of the city before being spilled into Mymensingh, Comilla and Khulna.

The programmes include creation of a force of 50,000 trained political activists and setting up of a 'School of Democracy and Nationalism' for training party workers.

Mahi paid rich tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, saying, "I do not subscribe to the politics of Bangabandhu but that should not bar me from showing respect to him, who is the undisputed leader of the country's liberation war."

He also lauded late president Ziaur Rahman for his role in different capacities, as a soldier, politician, president and a human being. "Ziaur Rahman was the great man who proclaimed our independence."

Mahi strongly protested a recent comment by BNP lawmaker Shahidul Islam about him and his father and said he produced programmes for the BTV following all rules and regulations of package programmes.

Other office bearers of Amra Zia Hobo were present at the press conference.

Meanwhile, Albert D Costa, founding president of the organisation, yesterday said he would hold a press conference in the city on December 9 to denounce Mahi's 'misusing the organisation'.