Dhaka – Asking the Election Commission to postpone the schedule for what she said a unilateral election, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Friday night urged the government to pave the path for holding the polls under a non-party administration trough talks.
“Open the path for arranging the national election under a non-party neutral government through dialogue after creating a congenial atmosphere. Ensure peace, stability and security and continue democracy,” she said in a statement pointing at the government.
Khaleda alleged that the government pushed the country into a deep uncertainty by taking steps for holding a unilateral and farcical election.
The BNP chief accused the government of tactfully avoiding the opposition’s repeated calls for dialogue and negotiation. “The government’s puppet Election Commission added fuel to the fire by hurriedly announcing the schedule for a lopsided election.”
Khaleda, also the leader of the opposition in parliament, urged the government to withdraw all the ‘false cases’ filed against the opposition leaders and activists and release the arrested leaders.
She asked the government not to pursue the path of autocratic rulers. “Or else, you’ll have to accept the fate of autocratic regime,” she warned.
Khaleda also strongly condemned the filing of a case against top opposition leaders in connection with Thursday’s bus torching at Shahbagh and demanded immediate withdrawal of the “false, repressive vengeful case”.
Sub-inspector Sohel Rana of Shahbagh Police Station filed the case against 16 top opposition leaders and some unidentified people on Friday in connection with arson attack on the bus during the 18-party’s blockade programme that left two people dead and 15 injured.
The 16 opposition leaders include BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam, standing committee members Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, Mirza Abbas, vice chairman Sadeque Hossain Khoka, joint secretaries general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Amanullah Aman, Barkatullah Bulu and Salahuddin, Jubo Dal general secretary Saiful Alam Nirob and JCD president Abdul Quader Bhuiyan Jewel.
Khaleda criticised the government for arresting the top opposition leaders, including party standing committee members Moudud Ahmed, MK Anwar, Rafiqul Islam Miah, her adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo and special assistant Shimul Biswas.
She also alleged that the law enforcers are also harassing the opposition leaders and activists by conducting police raid.
“Under the circumstances, I call upon the country’s people to carry on the movement in a peaceful manner. I also urge the leaders and activists of my party, alliance to make the action programmes a success with courage, unity and firm determination,” Khaleda said.
She also prayed for salvation of the departed souls of those killed in police firing and planned acts of sabotage.
Claming their movement for arranging the next election under a non-party government justified one, the BNP chief called upon people irrespective their professions, opinions, class and creeds to join it spontaneously. – UNB
