BNP warns of street agitation to free Khaleda
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said their party will force the government through an unstoppable street agitation to free their chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail, reports UNB.
Speaking at a human chain programme, he also alleged that the government is not willing to ensure proper treatment of Khaleda at any specialised private hospital out of political vengeance.
"There's no alternative to freeing Khaleda Zia for restoring democracy. Time has come for us to strengthen our organisation and forge a strong unity of people. We'll force the government to free our leader through waging an unstoppable movement," Fakhrul said.
BNP leaders and activists formed the human chain in front of the National Press Club demanding the release of Khaleda from jail and her proper treatment.
Stating that Khaleda is very sick, Fakhrul said availing of treatment is her basic and constitutional right. "But she has been deprived of it. We've long been demanding she be provided treatment at any specialised hospital, but the government is not paying heed to it out of fear."
He also said it seems the government thinks it will 'lose power' if the BNP chairperson is allowed to receive treatment at any specialised hospital. "They've kept her in jail only because of their political vengeance."
Amid the party's worry over Khaleda's illness, a BNP delegation, led by Fakhrul, met home minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Tuesday at his secretariat office and got assurance from him that every necessary step will be taken for ensuring Khaleda's proper treatment.
Later, the home minister said Khaleda will be taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) very soon for her medical test.
At their human chain programme, the BNP leaders apparently opposed the government's decision as they want Khaleda to be taken to any private hospital like United Hospital.
Fakhrul alleged that the current 'illegal regime' has kept the BNP chief in jail for over a year on political ground by convicting her in 'false' cases. "All the cases she has been facing are bailable ones, and all other accused in those cases have been granted bail. But she has been kept in jail by implicating her in cases after cases for her efforts to restore democracy in the country."
He said nearly 98,000 cases were filed against around 2.5 million democracy-loving people as part of the government's efforts to hang onto power 'illegally' and cement 'one-party' rule.
He said their party turned down the results of the 11th parliamentary election as they think it was not any election at all. "The country's people and the global community know voters could not cast their votes in the last election as there was a vote robbery the night before the voting."
The BNP leader said people did not go to polling stations during the recent city polls as they lost their confidence in the government and the election commission.
He renewed their party's demand for a fresh national election under neutral government and election commission.
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said when their chairperson, a three-time ex-prime minister, is not getting minimum medical treatment in jail, physicians were brought from abroad for a minister and he was finally sent to Singapore for better treatment.
He demanded the government release Khaleda from jail so that she can receive treatment either at home or abroad as per her will. "She'll have to be allowed to get treatment at any private hospital as per her desire until she is not freed."
Otherwise, the BNP leader warned that the government will be held responsible if Khaleda's health condition deteriorates further.
BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed said they could not ensure Khaleda's release through a legal battle due to the government's serious 'vindictive policy'. "The health condition of Khaleda Zia is deteriorating due to the brutal and inhuman attitude of the extreme fascist regime."
He said though a medical board was formed at a court order for their chairperson's treatment, the government has so far not implemented its recommendations.
Another BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas said it is unfortunate that their party has to form a human chain demanding treatment of a three-time-ex prime minister.
Wishing early recovery of road transport and bridges minister and Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader, he said Khaleda also has the right to get proper treatment like Quader. "Our leader Khaleda Zia's social standing, dignity and popularity are much higher than him (Quader). She's the most popular leader in the country. So, she deserves much better treatment than him."
BNP standing committee members Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, vice chairmen Shamsuzzamn Dudu, AZM Zahid Hossain and Gonoshasthya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury, among others, spoke at the programme.
Several hundred leaders and followers of the party formed the human chain in around 12:15pm which ended around 1:30 pm.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has been in jail since a special court convicted her in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on 8 February last year.