BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has warned that the 11th Parliamentary Election can be held only after his party Chairperson Kahleda Zia can walk free from jail.
“Election will be held after releasing Khaleda, ensuring level playing field and giving an acceptable polls-scheduled,” Mirza Fkharul said on Friday (Nov 9).
Mirza Fakhrul, who is the BNP secretary general, was addressing a rally of anti-government alliance Jatiya Oikya Front in the northern district of Rajshahi.
Urging all to continue movement to restore the democracy and ensure people’s right to vote, Mirza Fakhrul said, “Sheikh Hasina (government) will be ousted through mass movement.”
The BNP leader blamed the government for filing false lawsuits to keep Khaleda and her son Tarique Rahman away from politics.
Mirza Fakhrul, however, claimed that BNP, instructed by Khaleda, attended the November 1 Ganabhaban talks.
“The talks were not effective and they (ruling Awami League) gave no assurance,” he said.
BNP leader Goyeshwar Chandra Roy said leaders of different political parties gathered on the stage as democracy has vanished from the country.
“We’ve united to restore it,” said Roy, who is BNP National Standing Committee member.
Expressing concern over holding free and fair polls, Roy urged people not to vote unless his party chief Khaleda is released from prison.
Addressing the rally, Krishak Sramik Janata League chief Kader Siddique said, “I did not come to a BNP rally, rather I attended the rally led by Dr Kamal.
“Khaleda means the politics of Bangladesh. So she can’t be in the prison,” said Siddique.
Liberal Democratic Party chief Oli Ahmed said, “The alliance has decided (to wage movement) to free Khaleda from jail.”
Dr Kamal Hossain, who leads the alliance, however, skipped the rally due to illness.