The Awami League has taken a cautious strategy over BNP chief Khaleda Zia as the tenth national election is around the corner.
The ruling party high-ups have no problem whether Khaleda stays in jail or go abroad, but holding election peacefully is their top priority, said senior party leaders.
The BNP chief is now in jail as she was sentenced to five years imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust case on February 8 this year.
“We don’t have any ‘plus’ or ‘minus’ Khaleda Zia strategy, rather the only issue that is important to us is holding the election peacefully,” said a senior AL leader seeking anonymity.
“BNP created havoc in the country before the 2014 polls and there is every possibility they might do it again,” said the party leader, who is also an important member of the AL presidium.
“We believe if Khaleda Zia takes part in the political process, there might be disruption in the upcoming election, thus she is an obstacle to hold free, fair and impartial election.”
Subscribing the same view, another leader said, “As Khaleda Zia is now convicted of corruption, it is an opportunity to keep her out of the election and AL has no intention to lose it.”