Hasina harbours to stay in power forever: Rizvi

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Thursday alleged that prime minister Sheikh Hasina is dreaming of hanging onto power for life by restoring one-party Baksal rule, reports UNB.

"Prime minister Sheikh Hasina at a discussion recently said no question would have arisen about the election had there been Baksal introduced by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujiubur Rahman. With this, she just indicated in advance about what she's going to do," said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP's Naya Paltan central office, he further said, "Sheikh Hasina's comment has also exposed she's dreaming of staying in power forever without any election and competition like her late father by restoring the one-party despotic rule of Baksal."

The BNP leader questioned as to how fair election can be held under 'Baksal' where there is no system of voting and multiparty politics. "The head of the Awami-League government thinks people are so foolish that they will believe whatever she says."

Rizvi said people have sent out a message that they are not fool by refraining from casting their votes in the recently held upazila elections.

He said the prime minister is now praising Baksal by destroying democracy in the country.

Rizvi said Sheikh Hasina is doing everything with her whim as she has established 'dictatorship' in Bangladesh.

He alleged that their party chairperson Khaleda Zia has been kept in jail only to satisfy the prime minister's political 'vengeance' towards her.

Rizvi warned that the consequences will be dire if Khaleda is not freed from jail immediately.