BNP more united than before, leaders claim

Senior Correspondent: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is currently much stronger and more united than in the past after its chairperson Khaleda Zia had been sent to jail, leaders claimed.

They said, "Politics of separation in BNP has ended since the party chief had been arrested."

They also believe the party will restore the democracy and bring Khaleda Zia out of jail through their non-violence demonstrations.

BNP's top leaders also urged the party men to be careful over falling in any trap set by the ruling party and to refrain from responding to any provocation.

The leaders came up with the statements while speaking at a programme organised by BNP at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking the Language Martyrs Day and International Mother Language Day on Friday afternoon.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "They (Awami League) thought BNP might have divided if the party chief was jailed, but the party did not face any separation. We led by our acting chairman are working together.  BNP is now more united and much stronger than before."

Standing Committee Member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said, "The government is moving forward to hold another one-party election to clinch the power.  So, they (government), being avengeful, sent BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to jail in a false and fabricated case."

"They plotted to spread propaganda that Khaleda Zia embezzled money of orphans. But, country's people did not believe them," he added.

He also said the party became much stronger in absence of Khaleda Zia.

Another Standing Committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed also spoke over unity of the party.

He said, "Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is instructing the party leaders from London. The leaders are running the party according to his directions. It is not like that the party will have to run presenting in the country. It is not difficult to instruct the party in this technological era from there. BNP is now much stronger and united than in the past. The democracy will be restored through such peaceful demonstrations and Khaleda Zia will also come to power."

risingbd/Dhaka/February 23, 2018/Reza/A K Azad