Khaleda declines to comment on polls

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Thursday declined to comment on the latest national election, reports UNB.

"No comment," is what she said when reporters asked her about the December 30 polls after the Niko corruption case hearing.

Awami League-led Grand Alliance won 96 per cent seats in the 300-member parliament.

Khaleda Zia's BNP joined hands with Jatiya Oikya Front to contest the election but they won in only seven constituencies.

Khaleda appeared before the special judge court around 12:10pm. When newly-appointed judge Sheikh Hafizur Rahman of Dhaka Special Judge Court-9 arrived, the BNP chief complained about inadequate sitting arrangement.

The judge ordered providing chairs for everyone and said he would talk to the authorities to take necessary steps.

Several moments later, the former prime minister warned that she would not appear before the court "if this situation continues."

The court fixed 13 January for the next hearing.

ACC filed a case on 9 December 2007, accusing Khaleda and four others of causing the state a loss of Tk 137.77 billion by signing an oil-gas exploration deal with Canadian company Niko when the BNP was in office.

Police submitted a chargesheet against the accused on 5 May the next year.