Govt trying to keep Khaleda away from polls: Fakhrul

BNP today alleged that the government is trying to promptly dispose of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's appeal against her conviction in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case by the High Court to keep her away from the national election.

"Unprecedented incidents are happening under this government...there's no instance of giving direction by the Supreme Court to settle any appeal by 3-4 months," said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

He came up with the remark while unveiling the cover of a musical CD of a song on Khaleda Zia at Dhaka City unit BNP's Nayapaltan office.

On Wednesday, the Appellate Division upheld the High Court order that had granted bail to convicted BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, also issued an order to dispose of Khaleda's appeal petition challenging the lower court's verdict in the case by July 31.

Fakhrul said the government is working to take the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case to the final stage hurriedly. "But it's unfortunate that the highest court is giving such an order. Judiciary is the last resort for the repressed people, but the government is now trying to use it to make its political gain."

He said Khaleda cannot walk out of jail despite having a bail from the Supreme Court as she is the main opponent of the government.

"The government knows it well it won't be able to resist people's wave if our leader remains out of jail and resist its debacle if Khaleda Zia joins the next national election. That's why they've kept her in jail in a false and fabricated case in a planned way," the BNP leader observed.

He alleged that the government rigged votes and barred people from going to polling stations in Tuesday's Khulna City Corporation election by resorting to repression and establishing a reign of terror with the help of law enforcers.

Fakhrul said though their party and even the USA urged the Election Commission to investigate the election irregularities, they will not do it as the Commission has turned into a subservient organisation of the government.

He urged BNP leaders and activists to get ready for waging a movement for the 'restoration' of people's voting and other rights and democracy.

Fakhrul also said they will forge a national unity and free Khaleda from jail and foil the government's efforts to hold a 2014-like unilateral election.