Khaleda sets 6 conditions for next polls

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has come up with six conditions for contesting the next parliamentary elections.

The BNP chief placed the conditions at the party’s national executive committee’s meeting at Hotel Le Meridien in Dhaka today.

BNP’s National Executive Committee members oserve one-minute silence, to show respects to the deceased leaders and activists at the meeting at Hotel Le Meridien in Dhaka on February 3, 2018. Photo: Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

Khaleda said people want change and this change will take place through an election.

The conditions are: 

1. Voting must be under a neutral government

2. Polls-time government will create a peaceful environment for voters to come to the polling stations

3. Parliament will have to dissolve before the polls

4. Election Commission must work to maintain neutrality for holding a free, fair and all-inclusive general election

5. Army must be deployed during the elections and it will act as a mobile force

6. EVM/ DVM machine could not be used for voting

Photo: Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

A pre-recorded speech of BNP Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman, now in London, was played in the meeting.

During the opening session, Khaleda Zia said lower courts are now under the grip of the government and thus do not have the power to deliver judgments independently.

The BNP chief also called for national unity urging all political parties to be united.

The meeting, that started after the BNP chief reached the hotel around 11:00am, adopted a motion of condolence expressing deep sorrow at the demise of BNP leaders and activists at different times.

The committee members observed one-minute silence, to show respect to the deceased leaders and activists.

Later, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir presented the party’s organisational report. 

Khaleda called the party's executive committee meeting to device its plan ahead of the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case verdict scheduled to be delivered on February 8.

Comprised of 502 members, the BNP national executive committee will sit today for the first time since its formation in 2016.

However, according to the party's charter, holding at least one meeting of its national executive committee every six months is mandatory, but the party is going to hold its first meeting of the committee around two years after its national council.

There have been a lot of discussions in the country's political arena about the verdict in the graft case to be delivered on February 8.

Police suspect that BNP men may try to create anarchy if Khaleda is convicted. The BNP, on the other hand, has alleged that law enforcers have launched a crackdown on its leaders and activists ahead of the pronouncement of verdict.

The BNP boycotted the last parliamentary polls on January 5, 2014, demanding the election be held under a non-partisan interim government. A total of 153 lawmakers were elected uncontested in that polls.

‘With you, no matter where’

Khaleda called upon her party men to remain united even her absence to face the upcoming challenges in a peaceful and democratic manner.

“I am always with you and will be no matter wherever I am. Let’s face the upcoming challenges together ...we will work together for our good days,” Khaleda said apparently pointing to the verdict of a graft case to be delivered Thursday.

"We'll have to be enthusiastic to register our protest against any type of injustice and put up resistance against any injudicious move," Khaleda said, Khaleda, however, asked her party leaders and activists to carry out their protest programme in a peaceful and democratic manner.

‘Those loyal will be honoured’

The BNP chief promised to evaluate loyal party men. She, however, warned the BNP leaders who would betray with the party, and said they will neither be given any position in the party nor be forgiven.

“From today’s meeting, I would like to urge all to remain united in any circumstances. There will be various plots and repression against you. They will try to harass you in every way but don't get afraid,” Khaleda said.

 “I had forgiven the betrayers but this will not repeat because forgiveness is for one time. If anyone among you betrays, just keep in mind.”

She also criticised the government for letting loose the police and administration against BNP men and said it is being done only to gain political interests.

“They’re (govt) forcing police and the administration to be used for their political interests. But they are eager to work neutrally for the democracy if they get a congenial atmosphere,” she said. “We have no fear as the people, administration, police and the armed forces are with us,” the BNP chief observed.

‘AL has lost faith’

“Why have they started the election campaign so early?  They’ve no confidence in themselves as the boat has sunk badly. They won’t be able to win people’s hearts through the campaign,” said Khaleda.