4,100 cases filed to keep BNP off polls

The BNP yesterday alleged that over 4,100 cases were lodged against around 8.6 lakh named and 2.76 lakh unnamed party men since September 1 to keep it away from the upcoming general elections.

The opposition party also said it will file a writ petition with the High Court challenging the legality of filing such “politically motivated” cases.

Addressing a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also claimed around 90,340 cases have been filed against over 2.5 million party men since 2009. 

He also alleged around 1,512 BNP men have been victims of killing since that year.

“It proves that the government is engaged in hatching all sorts of conspiracy so that we cannot participate in the next general election,” Fakhrul also said.

The BNP leaders noted that around 75,925 leaders and activists of the party are now behind bars since 2009.

BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed told the press about the party's decision to file the petition.

“We are thinking of filing a writ petition with the High Court against filing of fictitious cases against BNP leader and activists,” he said.

“Through the writ petition, we will seek the apex court's directives for action against the police officers involved in filing such cases.”

Referring to the case filed with Hatirjheel Police Station hours after the party staged a Suhrawardy Udyan rally on September 30 and asked its activists to prepare for both movement and elections, Moudud said they will move to the High Court with a writ petition taking the case as an instance. 

Top BNP leaders, including Fakhrul, Mirza Abbas, Moudud, Nazrul Islam Khan, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Moyeen Khan were sued for “instigating” subversive activities.

The case statement reads that the leaders delivered “provocative and anti-government speeches” at the rally. Interestingly, Amir Khashru was in the US while Rizvi was not even present at the rally.

Moudud alleged that the government is destroying the rule of law through filing such “fictitious” cases and its main intention is keeping BNP men in jail to hold a “one-sided” election.

Fakhrul said such cases will only invite danger for the government.

Turning to cases against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairperson Tarique Rahman, Fakhrul said the party chief is behind bars and Tarique in exile being falsely implicated.

Now, the government is plotting to finish the trial proceedings of the cases lodged against the party's senior leaders in a bid to keep them away from the election process, he alleged.

Claiming that the country's present political atmosphere is not election-friendly, Fakhrul said, “We want a fair election and the government will have to create a congenial atmosphere by releasing Khaleda Zia from jail.”

The government will also have to withdraw the cases lodged against other BNP leaders and activists, he added.

Referring to the busting of a “militant den” in Mirsarai on Friday, Fakhrul said an old drama has been staged again. “This is not only dangerous for the opposition parties, rather for the entire nation,” he added.