The BNP’s standing committee member, Rafiqul Islam Miah, on Saturday criticised the Prime Minister for saying that the consequences of 1/11 would be repeated for the Opposition leader Khaleda Zia, if the caretaker government system was restored. “Do you (Sheikh Hasina) think that you will be in heaven if Khaleda is put in jail,” he asked while addressing a meeting on the present political situation at the National Press Club.
The BNP leader said no fair election could be held under a political government and the Opposition would resist it at any cost. The event was organised by the Nagorik Forum, a social organisation. Its president, Abdullahil Masud, was in the chair.
Rafiqul said that with the situation prevailing in the country, people are suffering from a sense of insecurity and are concerned about the nation’s future. He accused the government of undermining the spirit of the War of Liberation by carrying out attacks on democracy. The BNP leader criticised the home minister for imposing a ban on rallies and public meetings, ignoring the rules of law.
He suggested that ruling party leaders should refrain from making contradictory statements on forming a non-party election-time government to oversee the polls. The BNP leader said they are ready to withdraw their hartal if the government accepts their demand. “We will then sit across the table to determine who the chief of the caretaker government will be,” he added.
He regretted that Chhatra League and Juba League, both associate organisations of the ruling Awami League, bring out processions carrying firearms, but Opposition activists are not allowed to bring out any procession. He alleged that thousands of Opposition leaders and activists have been put in jail on trumped up charges to break the ongoing movement.
The BNP chairperson’s adviser, Maj Gen (Retd) Ruhul Alam Chowdhury, former president of Supreme Court Bar Association Joynal Abdin, New Nation editor Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Shammi Akhter, MP, and others also addressed the meeting.
-With The Independent input
