The BNP came down hard on the ruling Awami League saying that their game plan for the upcoming polls is clear as the day.
“They want AL to be the only party in the country,” BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told the media on Wednesday (Nov 28) at the party headquarters.
“Attorney General Mahbubey Alam’s comments left everyone speechless. He said that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is ineligible to participate in the polls!” he lashed out.
He said that Khaleda has already moved the Supreme Court to stay the verdict in a case she is wrongfully imprisoned in. “The court has accepted her appeal but the hearing is yet to take place. How can he (AG) then say that she is ineligible for polls? ”
“It is my question to the AG- how does Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir and HM Ershad contest the polls despite being convicted in a trial court and their appeal still ongoing?” the senior politician said.
Rizvi further slammed the AG saying, “You are an AL leader. You already bought a nomination form from the boat symbol. Then how can you still be the top lawyer of the State?”
“It’s because of partial, aggressive law officials such as yourselves who shut off all the doors to justice!” Rizvi said addressing the AG.
Rizvi said that the AG’s comments on a sub judice matter are clearly in contempt of the court and the constitution.
“I want to be very clear that Khaleda Zia will definitely contest the polls,” Rizvi pressed saying that there is no provision in the law to stop her from doing so.
Reiterating that the top lawyer of the State has spoken way ahead, Rizvi added, “The appeal is considered a part of the trial. The Election Commission will decide who will be eligible to take part in the polls.”
“His comments are not supported by the Appellate Division.”
He said that the existing law allows the returning officers to declare all three of Khaleda’s nomination applications as valid.
Rizvi added that the AL was planning to turn the upcoming polls into a violent battlefield and as the day for the race draws near people have more reservations about the fairness of the outcome.