It’s impossible for either BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia or her son, the party’s acting chief, Tarique Rahman to play an active role in Bangladesh politics, says former BNP leader Oli Ahmed.
Oli, who now heads the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) which is an ally in the BNP-led 20-party Alliance, said on Wednesday that he is willing to take the responsibility for strengthening the coalition and to free Khaleda from jail and overcome the country’s political crisis.
“It’s not possible for Khaleda Zia to give us directives from jail while Tarique Rahman can’t play an active role in the field from London…I’m ready to take that responsibility at this critical time of the country,” he told a discussion on Wednesday (May 15).
“There’s no scope to sit idle as we must move ahead. We’ve taken an initiative (to strengthen the 20-party). I would like to request the BNP leader that either you lead us or let us lead,” he added.
Oli also urged the BNP leaders to take steps for waging a movement to free Khaleda, restore democracy and people’s voting rights in the country by strengthening the alliance. “Either strength our hands or tells us to strengthen yours, and we’re ready to do that.”
The LDP chief said he is also ready to risk his life and fight against the current ‘autocratic’ regime. “I couldn’t sacrifice my life in the Liberation War, but I’m ready to lose my life in the hands of autocrat.”
He also said he has no reservation to accept the leadership of capable and acceptable BNP leaders to launch a movement.
Olio strongly opposed BNP’s decision of sending its MPs to parliament, saying the party has legitimised the current government through it.