BNP demands Khaleda’s release before Eid

BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Saturday demanded the release of their chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail before the Eid-ul-Fitr on humanitarian ground, reports UNB.

"The prime minister's target was to hang onto power through vote robbery by sending Khaleda Zia to jail. You (PM) have already completed your tasks. So, what's the necessity to keep her (Khaleda) in jail now?" he said.

Speaking at a discussion, he further said, "Begum Zia is sick. I demand her release before the Eid on humanitarian ground."

Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, also warned the government that people are getting ready to take to the streets to have Khaleda released from jail. "All the fascist regimes in the past had to quit in the face of mass anger. You'll also meet the same fate."

Bangladesh Jatiya Dal arranged the programme at the National Press Club, marking the 38th death anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

On 8 February 2018, Khaleda was sent to the abandoned central jail in Old Dhaka as she was convicted in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. She has been receiving treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) since 1 April.

Stating that various plots are on to destroy BNP, Mosharraf urged the party leaders and workers to work for strengthening their organisational strength following the party constitution.

"The government is carrying out various campaigns that BNP is facing disunity and various internal problems. We would like to say BNP is as strong as it was in the past. Our leaders and activists are also united under the leadership of Khaleda Zia," he said.

The BNP leader also bemoaned that morality and truth is now getting defeated to greed and falsehood. "Under the circumstances, we must hold the ideals of our party founder Ziaur Rahman to restore democracy in and the country."