The BNP chairperson, Khaleda Zia, on Thursday tore into the Awami League-led Grand Alliance government for its intention to cling on to power, saying it is the moral responsibility of every citizen to launch movements to remove the government from power as its tenure has ended.
“This government is no longer legitimate. It is our responsibility to launch movements to remove it from power,” she said, while addressing a gathering of pro-BNP teachers and employees in front of the Jatiya Press Club auditorium.
Iterating her demand for holding the next general election under a caretaker government, Khaleda said, “A caretaker government can be formed within the framework of the Constitution. There are still many non-partisan and capable persons in the country.”
“The ball is now in your court. Act quickly by placing a bill for the caretaker government in Parliament,” she added.
The BNP chief dared the government to hold the next general election without a caretaker government. “No election can be held under this government,” she affirmed.
Khaleda said the government will face dire consequences if it tries to hinder the opposition’s scheduled gathering in the city on Friday. “The government must take the responsibilities if it tries to foil the gathering,” she said, expressing hope that the authorities would permit the opposition to bring out its grand rally.
Khaleda blasted the government for imposing ban on the freedom of speech and violating human rights. She called upon the Awami League to check its popularity by participating in the next general election under a caretaker government. The present government is scared of taking part in elections
under a non-party caretaker government, she said.
Khaleda also termed the present government as “corrupt” and “very partisan”.
BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Rafiqul Islam Mian, Mirza Abbas, journalists’ leaders Ruhul Amin Gazi, Kamal Uddin Shabuj and a host of teachers and employees’ leaders also addressed the gathering.
“There is no bravery in wining an election under self-leadership,” said Khaleda, referring to the government’s move to hold the general election under its own management.
The BNP chief refused to accept the AL-led government as a democratic one on the basis of its various anti-people activities. “This government is not a people’s government. A people’s government should be formed by ousting this autocratic government,: she said.
“Since the AL assumed power, it created a reign of terror and looted people’s money,” she said, referring to the capital market and Padma bridge scams.
Khaleda alleged that the government has made all public sector banks bankrupt. She called upon the teachers to perform their duties with sincerity and pledged to implement their demands after coming to power again.
She also committed to resolve all problems related to suffering of the common people.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir pointed out that the present government should have resigned as its tenure ended yesterday. The government did not resign because it wanted to seize power, he observed.
The BNP acting secretary general also pointed out that the demand of any professional group could not be implemented without a democratic government.
-With The Independent input
