"It was an attempt by BNP men to Kidnap me as part of a Hawa Bhaban (BNP's Banani office) plan to put pressure on me to return to the party from LDP, " he told a press conference yesterday.

Zia made it clear that he now belongs to the LDP and will remain with it.

The former legislator from Dhamrai in Manikganj quit BNP recently and joined the newly formed Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

The press conference held at LDP presidium office at Baridhara was also addrssed by party President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, Executive President Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed and party leader Maj (Retd) Abdul Mannan.

"They (BNP men) forcibly tried to take me to Hawa Bhaban to blackmail me. They also gathered some newsmen there by giving them false information about my return to BNP," Zia said.

Referring to laying of siege to renegade Zia's residence by BNP men from Dhamrai on Thursday, the LDP leaders said it was a 'sign of nervousness' within BNP.

Badruddoja said, "If we reveal the names of BNP leaders who are now waiting to join LDP, they (BNP) would be much more nervous."

The LDP president said "The BNP bid to force Barrister Zia to the party is an ethically immoral act and a legally punishable offence."

LDP leaders also accused BNP of offering money to LDP men to quit the party. The LDP president named a top BNP leader who, he said, is also doing this.

On the siege to his residence, Zia said, "They (BNP) misguided the people of my constituency saying that I am returning to BNP. Thus they were brought to Dhaka from Dhamrai."

He went on, " Ehsanul Haq came to my house on Thursday without informing me and pressured me to go Hawa Bhaban to express all my grievances to madam (BNP chairperson). But I refused to go telling him it is all over, I am in LDP now."