BNP's countrywide rallies Nov 23 seeking Khaleda's release

BNP will stage rallies across the country, including the capital, on 23 November, demanding the release of its ailing chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail, reports news agency UNB.

Party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programmes at a press conference at the party's Naya Paltan central office.

He alleged that the government is still obstructing the bail process of its chairperson Khaleda Zia who has long been undergoing treatment at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

"We would like to tell the prime minister that the chain of your misrule will fall apart and crush into dust if anything bad happens to our leader Khaleda Zia due to your reluctance," the BNP leader said.

Rizvi urged the prime minister to free Khaleda immediately instead of carrying out 'false propaganda' against her. "Don't interrupt her bail. Give her the scope to get healthcare at a hospital of her choice."

He said their party has decided to hold rallies all over the country on 23 November to push for its demand for having Khaleda freed from jail.

In the capital, the BNP leader said they will stage the rally in front of their central office at Naya Paltan at 2pm the same day.

Besides, he said, doa mahfils will be arranged at their party offices across the country tomorrow (Wednesday), marking the 54th birth anniversary of their party acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

Rizvi said they will centrally arrange a doa mahfil at their Naya Paltan party office on Thursday on the occasion.

Khaleda has been in jail since she was convicted in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on 8 February 2018. She was found guilty in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated.

The BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the BSMMU since 1 April this year.