BNP sees govt plot to send Khaleda back to jail again

Khaleda Zia
Khaleda Zia

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday alleged that the government is conspiring to send their ‘ailing’ chairperson Khaleda Zia back to jail from hospital, reports UNB.

He also announced a two-day programme demanding the release of Khaleda and her proper treatment.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Naya Paltan central office, Fakhrul said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) authorities on Saturday said Khaleda Zia is now fine and she has recovered her illness. “We think such comments are part of a plot to create a ground for sending her back to jail without providing her treatment.”

He alleged that the government is trying to push the BNP chief towards death by keeping her in jail in ‘false’ cases. “Their only motive is to eliminate their main political opponent depriving her of treatment. It can’t be accepted and we strongly denounce and protest at such a move.”

The BNP leader demanded the government immediately release Khaleda from jail and allow her to receive treatment at a hospital of her choice.

“We would like to clearly tell the government to free our chairperson on bail as she deserves it legally. Otherwise, the current unelected regime will be held responsible for anything bad happens to Khaleda Zia,” Fakhrul said.

Khaleda was sent to jail as she was convicted in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on 8 February, last year. She has been receiving treatment at the BSMMU since 1 April last.

Fakhrul claimed that their chairperson’s health condition is deteriorating gradually as her relatives who met her recently said she is very sick and cannot move alone due to various critical ailments. “That’s why we’ve been talking about granting her bail ensuring her legal right.”

Replying to a question, he said BNP has no right to seek parole for Khaleda. “Only she (Khaleda) can seek parole, but she still did not do that. She has said she’s not in favour of taking parole. We can’t say whether she’ll apply for parole in the future.”

Under the circumstances, the BNP secretary general said their party and its associate bodies will continue to take up programmes demanding Khaleda’s release.

“We’ll centrally form a human chain in Dhaka city on 11 September while our different units will stage the similar programme across the country on 12 September,” he said.

Besides, Fakhrul said, their party will hold public rallies in Sylhet on 21 September, while in Mymensingh on 26 September and in Rajshahi on 29 September to push the same demand.

BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed said the lawyers have long been trying to ensure bail for Khaleda, but they are facing obstructions at every step due to political influence. “We’ll again try to have bail for her on her health ground.”

He said the government is showing an ‘inhuman’ attitude towards Khaleda though she has been suffering from various ailments.

Moudud said he thinks Khaleda will recover from her illness if she is provided with better treatment at any specialised private hospital.

BNP standing committee members Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, vice chairman AZM Zahid Hossain and senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi were, among others, present.