Solve 'political crisis' thru' talks

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday once again called upon the government to resolve "the ongoing political crisis" in the country through holding dialogue with the opposition parties, and a free, fair and acceptable election.

She made the call while addressing the national council of a faction of Islami Oikya Jote, a component of the BNP-led 20-partty alliance, at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh.

“We've urged the government to hold dialogue with all the political parties to settle the crisis and establish a people's government through holding a credible election, and now the ball is in the ruling party's [Awami League's] court,” said Khaleda, also chief of the alliance.

“And I hope that the ruling party will solve the crisis through talks, shunning the path of confrontation.”

The BNP chief claimed that at present there is no democracy, no people's government and no good governance in the country.

“All institutions have collapsed as anarchy is everywhere. Law and order has deteriorated sharply.”

She noted that the common people are now suffering as repression, murder, violation against women and corruption have exceeded all records of the history.

Terming Ulema "the leaders of the religion of peace", she said Islam is a religion of peace and there is no room for violence, terrorism and militancy in it.

“But some misguided people have chosen the path of terrorism, vengeance and cruelty. As a result, Muslims are branded as criminals globally,” Khaleda said, urging the Ulema to stay alert so that Bangladesh does not earn a bad name.

While speaking, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir thanked Khaleda for making him a full-fledged secretary general of the party.

He strongly criticised the arrest warrant for Khaleda, saying it is very shameful that Khaleda has been shown fugitive in the charge sheet of the case though she goes to office every day and join meetings and rallies regularly.

A Dhaka court on Wednesday issued arrest warrants against Khaleda and 27 others in connection with a case filed for an arson attack on a passenger bus in the capital's Jatrabari in January last year.