A number of senior Bnp leaders hinted on Monday that the 20-Party Alliance might end the blockade of transports if they are allowed to hold rally in Dhaka city. Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed on Monday night conveyed this message to journalists from party and alliance chief Khaleda Zia.
Talking to reporters after a meeting with BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia at her office where she has been confined for 10th consecutive days, Hafiz hoped that there is still time to resolve the ongoing political crisis through talks.
Senior Awami League however laughed away the hint and said, ask them to withdraw the blockade first. AN AL presidium member told journalists, there is no scope of talks before their plan to hold elections in 2019.UNB reported: Replying to a question whether they will call off their blockade programme if the government allows them to hold a rally in Dhaka, Hafiz said, “This is a matter of the 20-party alliance to decide. But, you’ll surely see a positive step from our side.”
Khaleda announced the blockade programme for an indefinite period as government banned meetings on 05 January when the Bnp sought to hold a rally in Dhaka to observe ‘democracy killing day’ and police prevented her from coming out of her office on Saturday and Monday.
About the Awami League’s rally held in the city on Monday, Hafiz said when BNP is not allowed to stage a rally in the city, the ruling party staged such a programme. “What kind of democracy is it?”
The BNP leader said they hoped that the Prime Minister at her rally would come up with a positive response to the BNP chief’s seven-point proposal, but she did not do that. “We’ve felt frustrated as she ignored it.”
He also said the current regime’s stubbornness and senior ruling party leaders’ unguarded remarks and instigation are responsible for the current political crisis.
Hafiz also accused the ruling party leaders of instigating their party men to attack the opposition men. “The violent incidents are now taking place as there’s no rule of law in the country. A section of terrorists are freely carrying out such acts.”
Criticising the Prime Minister for calling their chairperson a leader of militants, the former water resource minister said, “Our leader is a three-time Prime Minister and a leader of people. Wherever she holds rally a mass wave creates as BNP has no link with militants. Our movement is also non-violent one.”
Mentioning that their leaders and activists take to the streets empty hands, the BNP leader said newspapers published a report on Sunday that a Chhatra League activist hurled a bomb at Gulistan Awami League office. We can’t take responsibility of such terror attack.”
Referring to Prime Minister’s comment that BNP chairperson is not confined to her office, Hafiz said Sheikh Hasina’s such remarks hurt all people of the country. “We don’t expect such baseless comments from top level leaders and a Prime Minister. If Khaleda is free why so many police forces are deployed here (in front of her office)?”
He also hoped that the government will pull out the additional police force from in front of Khaleda Zia’s office.
He called upon Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina not to ignite the current political situation. “Though she did assume office legally, she is daughter of Bangabandhu and president of a big party like Awami League. We hope she will play a positive role in restoring democracy in the country by holding a fresh inclusive election under a non-party administration.”
About the arrests of some senior BNP leaders, Hafiz said the government will not be able to suppress their movement by arresting and harassing their leaders and activists with ‘false’ cases.
“The country’s economy is on the verge of collapse. Still, there’s time, resolve the political crisis through talks,” he added.
Hafiz said Khaleda Zia has urged people to continue the blockade programme until democracy is restored in the country.
