BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s incarceration enters six months on Wednesday (August 8). She went to prison on 8 February this year charged with corruption.
With her absence, the BNP campaign lost impetus. But BNP workers are determined to secure freedom for Khaleda Zia through coordinated campaigns.
However, despite the absence of the chairperson, the regular work continues at the BNP office.
Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is coming to office and conferences are also being held.
BNP standing committee member, Nazrul Islam Khan, told Bangla Tribune: “I do not know what the government is achieving by imprisoning a 73-year-old person.”
This has not eroded the resolve of the BNP, he added. However, BNP has not announced any major campaign as yet with the party and her allies in a quandary over Jamaat.
Chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party, Andaleeve Rahman Partho, told Bangla Tribune: “she is being kept out of politics with a flimsy case.”
She will come out on time and we will go to polls with her.
At the grassroot level meets held on 3 and 4 August, the emphasis was given to add more impetus to securing the release of Khaleda Zia.
If the government goes to elections leaving out Khaleda Zia then BNP will take part as per the instruction of Tarique Rahman residing in the UK.
She will be released before Eid and, under her guidance, the BNP led 20 party alliance will take part in the national polls, hoped Nazrul Islam.
Chatra dal joint president, Ajmal Hossain Pilot, feels that more momentum needs to be added to the drive to free Khaleda Zia.
Professor Emajuddin Ahmed says: “the arrest of Khaleda Zia had added a new dimension to nationalistic politics.”
Khaleda Zia has been incarcerated five times including the latest one on 8 February. The previous ones are, 28 November, 1983, 3 May 1984, 11 November 1987 and 3 September 2007.
Many are questioning the capability of her lawyers in securing her freedom. Also, the effort to engage Lord Carlyle came to nothing.
Dr Kamal Hossain expressed satisfaction at the bail order of Khaleda Zia on 12 March; however, regarding the appointment of Lord Carlyle, he said: I will not comment if this English lawyer will be successful or not.”