Movement to continue: Khaleda

Announcing once again to continue their ongoing movement, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia today blamed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the current political standoff.

“The country is passing through a critical situation and Sheikh Hasina is the main creator of the crisis,” she said while addressing a press conference this afternoon.

“She (PM) has pushed the country into uncertainty.”  

Khaleda said the country’s prevailing crisis will be solved if the prime minister takes initiatives for a compromise.

Stating that the key to end the crisis is in the hands of the government, she said: “We hope the good sense will prevail upon the government and it will take initiative for a compromise.”  

Addressing her second press conference since January 6 when the BNP-led 20-party alliance began its nonstop blockade, Khaleda said the movement will continue until its ultimate goal is achieved.

“The movement will continue until a logical conclusion is achieved. It will meet its desired goal immediately.”

Khaleda also said, “Power is not a big issue to me. I am fighting to ensure people’s democratic rights to vote freely.”  

•        Movement to continue until the ultimate goal is achieved

•        Demands dialogue for inclusive polls under nonparty administration

•        Hasina to blame for political crisis

•        Political crisis to go if election is held

•        AL did not keep its promise to hold fresh polls

•        BNP made a mistake by believing Hasina

Khaleda, also head of the alliance, placed a four-pint demand including an immediate dialogue for holding an inclusive general election under a nonparty caretaker government.

The BNP chief in her nearly 45-minute speech tried to justify the prolonged blockade on top of intermittent hartals by the combine. The blockade enters its 67th day today.

She alleged that the Awami League government has created the crisis through abolishing the caretaker government system.

“Awami League has demolished the democracy by holding the farcical election on January 5, 2014,” said the BNP chief.

“The Awami League held it as an election of formalities but they did not keep their promise to hold a fresh election. BNP has made a mistake by believing Hasina.”

Khaleda alleged that the government has carried out subversive activities to brand the “democratic movement” as militant activities.

She demanded immediate release of leaders and activists of the BNP-led 20-party alliance arrested during the movement.

The former prime minister alleged that law enforcers picked up BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed but they have been denying the fact. She warned of bad consequences if Salahuddin is not released immediately.

It is her second press conference since January 6 when the alliance enforced the nonstop countrywide blockade demanding a midterm election under a non-partisan administration.

Four BNP leaders -- Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, former IGP and the BNP chief's adviser Abdul Qaiyum – who have been staying with Khaleda, remain present at the press conference.