The label of developed country is meaningless when democracy is absent in Bangladesh, BNP Standing Committee Member Moudud Ahmed said today.

“Where democracy is absent, the label of developed country is meaningless,” he told journalists after holding a meeting with diplomats at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.

“There is no democracy in the country. People have no right to speak up. But it is being labeled as developed country. This label is meaningless because real development is not possible without democracy,” he said.

The BNP leader alleged that the prime minister is seeking vote holding rallies across the country with public exchequer.

“But we were denied to hold any rally. The prime minister is seeking vote with public money which is a violation of electoral code of conduct,” he said.

Meanwhile, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed alleged, “The Anti-Corruption Commission is acting like a “blind bat” as it has turned into an “organisation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina”.

“The ACC is acting like a bat which becomes blind at night. It has been given the responsibility only to chase BNP leaders and activists,” Rizvi said at a press briefing at the party's Nayapaltan central office.

He also said the ACC has also now turned into a weapon to mentally harass and repress BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

The government is playing a game to prolong the BNP chief's stay in jail by blocking her bail, the BNP leader said.

Rizvi further said that mounting mental pressure on Khaleda Zia will not bring any result as BNP under the leadership of Khaleda will participate in the next parliamentary elections under a neutral administration.