‘Govt wants to minus Khaleda from politics’

Senior Correspondent: BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that the government wants to minus the party chairperson Khaleda Zia from politics.

He said, “What are charges against her (Khaleda Zia)? The charges are she speaks for people of the country and hopes for an independent and sovereign Bangladesh. And for this, she was sent to jail.”

The BNP leader on Tuesday came up with the observation while speaking at a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club demanding the release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and her proper treatment.

Pro-BNP student leaders of Dhaka University Central Students Union (Ducsu) and All- Party Students Unity (Apsu) of the 90s arranged the programme.

Fakhrul also alleged that Election Commission Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed who is ‘working in favour of Awami League’ is now running the Commission.

“You (govt) are now running the Election Commission with a secretary. Helal Uddin was appointed as the EC secretary from the Secretariat in a special way,” he said.

The BNP leader further said, “I’ve heard he, after attending office until 4:pm, used to go to a certain party’s a special office where the party’s all election plans are worked out headed by HT Imam.”

Fakhrul also alleged that the current Election Commission has no authority and capability to hold any credible election. “It couldn’t yet hold any election in a fair manner.”

About their party’s stance on the 11th parliamentary polls, he said BNP will not join it without having Khaleda Zia released from jail. “The government must release her and withdraw all the cases filed against her.”

The BNP leader said they will surely participate in the polls if the government meets their minimum demands for creating a level-playing field, dissolving parliament, installing a non-party neutral government and deploying army.

He called upon all the political parties and people from all walks of life to get united to resolve political crisis, restore democracy and their basic rights. “We believe people will get united and defeat the government.”

Fakhrul alleged that the government is running the country abusing the state machinery as it has lost ground beneath its feet.

He criticised the Dhaka University authorities for imposing restriction on roaming, staying or carrying out any activity on the campus by outsiders without prior permission. “Dhaka University is not only an educational institution but also a premier place for exercising free thinking.”

Stating that Dhaka University always showed people the right path during any crisis, Fakhrul said now that university is fettered. “The move has been taken as part of a plot.”

The BNP leader also accused the ruling party ‘cadres’ of torturing and suppressing those involved in quota-reform movement. “Those who waged the anti-quota movement are now on the run to save their lives. One of them remains missing while another was taken on a 10-day remand. Two legs of a demonstrator were broken with a hammer.”
 

risingbd/Dhaka/July 10, 2018/Reza/A K Azad