Govt conspiring to send Khaleda back to jail again: Fakhrul

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 giving people an impression that she is ‘now fine’.

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

Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan 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 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 February 8, last year. She has been receiving treatment at the BSMMU since April 1 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 along 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 September 11 while our different units will stage the similar programme across the country on September 12,” he said.

Besides, Fakhrul said, their party will hold public rallies in Sylhet on September 21, while in Mymensingh on September 26 and in Rajshahi on September 29 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 Dr 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.