Rules bent to keep Khaleda behind bars

The BNP yesterday alleged that the government jailed Khaleda Zia to keep the party away from the next parliamentary election.

“Those who are thinking of holding an election keeping Khaleda Zia behind bars are living in a fool's paradise,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a discussion.

A faction of Jatiya Party, led by TIM Fazle Rabbi Chowdhury, organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club.

All the judicial norms were being “breached” just to extend the BNP chief's stay in jail, Fakhrul said.

“Khaleda Zia was handed prison term and she was supposed to be granted bail. But the government is also interfering in the issue.”

He further alleged that law enforcers violated Supreme Court's directives by arresting a BNP leader from a political programme without any arrest warrant.

“I would like to express my anger and sorrow as I could not save a Chhatra Dal leader who held me tight to escape arrest. The law enforcers attacked our programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club and snatched him by tearing off his clothes,” he said.

Criticising the Election Commission, Fakhrul said it was “serving the government's agenda”. “This Election Commission has been formed to reinstate Awami League in power.”

Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee Member Moudud Ahmed yesterday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's vote-seeking campaign was illegal.

“It is illegal seeking votes for her party as she is the prime minister of Bangladesh,” Moudud said at another discussion at the Jatiya Press Club.

Enjoying facilities from the government, the PM cannot seek vote, the BNP leader added.

The AL is not capable of holding a neutral parliamentary election as its leaders know that the party would be defeated by a big margin, he said. “It is true that Awami League fears to face people.”

Moudud expressed optimism that the 20-party alliance, led by Khaleda Zia, would be able to “restore” democracy and people's voting rights in the country.

Bangladesh Youth Forum organised the programme demanding release of the BNP chief, who landed in jail on February 8 in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.