‘Take preparations for both movement and election’

Senior Correspondent: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Sunday urged the freedom fighters and her party leaders and activists to take preparations for both movement and election before the next general election.

The BNP chairperson made the call while speaking at a rally of pro-BNP freedom fighters at Mohanagar Natya Mancha in the city arranged by Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal, the BNP’s Freedom Fighters’ wing, marking the Victory Day.

“You’ll have to take preparation for the action programme to be announced in the days to come. You must move forward taking preparations for both movement and election. We believe we’ll succeed this time and be able to restore multiparty democracy in the country,” she said.

The BNP chief said the next general election must be held under a non-party administration, not under Sheikh Hasina as Awami League does not allow voters to go to polling stations to cast their votes.

“We demand Sheikh Hasina hand over power to a non-party neutral government dissolving the current parliament for holding the next election in a fair and credible manner,” she said.

Khaleda said her party does not want any anarchy in the country. “We want a credible election as we’re a pro-election party. We want to return to power with people’s vote. We don’t want to be elected without votes like you (AL).”

The BNP chief said though the freedom fighters liberated the country in 1971, Awami League has now enchained the independence of its people.

She urged the freedom fighters and other political parties to wake up and get united to free the country from the ‘chain’ of Awami League. “Let’s raise our voice together against unjust and misrule, and establish a pro-people government and democracy through a movement.”

Khaleda alleged that the government staged a ‘judicial coup’ by forcing Chief Justice SK Sinha to quit. “They (govt) should be punished for it.”

She alleged that those who are raising their voice against the government are being subjected to killing, enforced disappearance and repressive acts.

The country is now being ruled by a ‘single person’, and everything is happening as ‘per her wish’, the BNP chief said.

Liberal Democratic Party president Oli Ahmad, BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, vice-chairman Abdullah Al Noman and Kalyan Party president Syed Mohammad Ibrahim, among others, spoke at the programme.


risingbd/Dhaka/Dec 24, 2017/Reza/AI