Leader of the Opposition and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Monday said the defeat of the Awami League-led 14-party grand alliance-backed candidates in all the five city corporation elections was the people’s mandate against the government. “The people replied the ruling AL-led 14-party alliance with a 5-0 thrashing, she said adding, “The margin will be bigger in future,” the Opposition leader said while addressing the party leaders and activists at a function as newly-elected Khulna city mayor Md Moniruzzaman Moni and councillors met the BNP chairperson at her Gulshan office in the city on Monday evening.
This is the Moni’s first meeting with the opposition leader after he elected as the mayor of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) through the election on June 15.
Khaleda called upon the party leaders to get united and said the BNP-led 18-party alliance would launch tougher action against the government after the holy Eid-ul-Fitr. She said the government has to be compelled to restore the non-party caretaker government.
“Massive public support, unity of party and blessing of the Almighty Allah brought the victory for us,” she added.
Criticising the government, the former premier said that the government couldn’t fulfil a single election pledge during their four and a half years tenure in power. “They worked against the interests of the people. That’s why it will be better for the people as soon as the government will quit,” she said.
The BNP leader laid emphasis on the need for maintaining the unity and carrying out movement to topple the government.
The country’s first female prime minister suggested the party leaders and activists to work for the people to maintain the victory.
“We will work to bring about change and development of the country instead of hooliganism of the Awami League,” she said.
She assured that those would not get the nomination would be evaluated if the 18-party is voted to power. Khaleda asked the party activists to engage in organisational activities during the month of Ramzan.
Moniruzzaman Moni said he is no more a mayor of a person; rather he is the mayor of all city-dwellers in Khulna. He said that he would work for all as a service provider not a plunderer.
Earlier, Moni greeted the BNP chairperson by handing over a bouquet of flowers to her when she congratulated the newly-elected mayor.
BNP standing committee members — Tariqul Islam and Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, vice chairman Razia Foyez, chairperson’s adviser Nurul Islam Dadu, Barrister Shahjahan Omar, joint secretary general Barkat Ullah Bulu, Khulna district BNP president Majedul Islam, Captain (Retd) Sujauddin, Juba Dal president Moazzem Hossain Alal, Moshiur Rahman, Dr Asaduzzaman Ripon, Mohila Dal president Noor-e-Ara Safa and Habibul Islam Habib, among others, were present on the occasion.
Local leaders of 18-party alliance including Prof Mahfuzur Rahman of Jamaat and 25 newly-elected councillors — Saiful Islam, Kabir Hossain, Sheikh Shawkat Ali, Faruk Hilton, Moniruzzaman, Rahima Akhter Hena,
Anchira Khatun, Rabeya Fahid Hasna Hena, Nadira Begum Tuli and Rabeya Faruk were also present.
-With The Independent input
