‘No negotiation with govt over Khaleda release’

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has confirmed that he will not take oath as a Member of Parliament (MP).

“The oath taking of five BNP MPs-elect is a political strategy of their party,” he told Prothom Alo in an interview over phone on Tuesday.

The full text of the interview:

Prothom Alo: Just learnt that the High Court will hear an appeal of the Zia Charitable Trust case. Is her bail on cards? Is there any relation between BNP’s decision to join parliament and the release of Khaleda Zia?

Mirza Fakhrul: There is no link between BNP’s joining parliament and its chairperson Khaleda Zia’s release.

Prothom Alo: Sheikh Hasina was freed on parole over the 1/11 changeover. What are you thinking?

Mirza Fakhrul: No, we are not thinking in that way.

Prothom Alo: Have you discussed with Khaleda Zia or Tarique Rahman over the parole?

Mirza Fakhrul: No. No discussion was held. They didn’t say anything.

Prothom Alo: But earlier you said she needs urgent and better treatment.

Mirza Fakhrul: That’s right.

Prothom Alo: Didn’t you ever join any discussion at any level with the government over Khaleda Zia’s release?

Mirza Fakhrul: No, we didn’t. There is no negotiation.

Prothom Alo: You were seen alone during the press conference over BNP MPs-elect joining parliament. Where were other senior leaders?

Mirza Fakhrul: They couldn’t join due to constraint of time and distance. There are no other reasons.

Prothom Alo: Earlier, a news was aired on the television channels that you have sent a letter to speaker to extend deadline to join parliament.

Mirza Fakhrul: It’s not true.

Prothom Alo: What wrong did Takhurgaon-3 MP Zahidur Rahman do? What will now happen to him?

Mirza Fakhrul: The decision over him will be taken later.

Prothom Alo: Is relationship with Kamal Hossain okay?

Mirza Fakhrul: There’s no problem. Things are good. We’ll meet him shortly.

*This interview originally published in Bangla online edition has been rewritten in English by Toriqul Islam.