Release Khaleda before eid: BNP to govt

BNP today demanded the release of its chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail before the Eid-ul-Fitr on humanitarian ground.

“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?” party's senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said.

Speaking at a discussion, he further said, “Begum Zia is sick. I demand her release freed 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 Jatiya Press Club, marking the 38th death anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

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

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.”