Dhaka May 18 – The BNP, this time, has departed from its tradition of inviting its arch rival Awami League (AL) to the iftar party for the political parties scheduled to be held Saturday at Ladies Club in the city.The party on behalf of its acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who is now in exile in London, invited leaders of different political parties sans the ruling AL and it allies in the 14-party alliance to join the today’s iftar party, said a highly placed source in the BNP.
The political leaders who have been invited to participate in BNP’s iftar party include Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh president Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, Gana Forum president Dr Kamal Hossain, Krishak Sramik Janata League president Kader Siddique, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president ASM Abdur Rab and Nagorik Oikya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna, said the source.
The party also invited leaders of other political parties in the 20-party alliance, left leaning parties including the CPB and religion based political parties to the iftar party.
As Tarique Rahman, who has been convicted in several cases and living exile in London, will not be able to join the party in the absence of party chairperson Khaleda Zia. So, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other standing committee members would host the party.
Though the BNP had invited the AL in the iftar parties in the recent years, they did not join the party.
Asked about the reason, a senior BNP leader preferring anonymity said
They did not invite the ruling parties considering the reality in the political arena and their attitude to the BNP.
He also questioned as to how could the party invite the ruling Al when it has denied to proper treatment to chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is now interned in old central jail at Nazimuddin Road serving a five year sentence in graft case.
Jail authority sources said Khaleda Zia as a division 1 prisoner has been allocated Tk 39.50 for her iftar but she has the choice to chose her items within the budget.
Meanwhile, the BNP leaders yesterday hosted an iftar party in honour of orphans and ulema on the first of Ramadan in the absence of Khaleda Zia.
Huge number of orphans and ulema took part in the iftar party at Ladies Club in the city.
In another development, leaders of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal and Juba Mohila Dal were denied to permission to offer iftar items to Khaleda Zia at the prison.
“We are returning with the items we have carried for our leader as police did not allow us to hand over the items to her, alleged Mohila Dal secretary Sultana Ahmed.
Talking to reporters in from of the central jail, she said they were asked to obtain permission from the prison authorities sand come on next Sunday.
Sultana accompanied among others, by Shammi Akhter and Sur-e-Ara Safa went to the prison gate at about 2:45pm yesterday.
Meanwhile, speaking at a meeting, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir accused the governement of trying to promptly dispose off BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s appeal against her conviction in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case by the High Court to keep her away from the national election.
“Unprecedented incidents are happening under this government…There is no instance of giving direction by the Supreme Court to settle any appeal by three to four months,” he said while unveiling the cover of a musical CD of a song on Khaleda Zia.
His comments came two days after the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld the High Court order that had granted bail to convicted BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.
Mirza Alamgir said the government is working to take the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case to the final stage hurriedly.
“It is unfortunate that the highest court is giving such an order. Judiciary is the last resort for the repressed people, but the government is now trying to use it to make its political gain,” he said.
He alleged that Khaleda cannot walk out of jail despite having a bail from the Supreme Court as she is the main opponent of the government.
The BNP leader said though their party and even the USA urged the election commission to investigate the election irregularities, they will not do it as the commission has turned into a subservient organisation of the government.
He urged BNP leaders and activists to get ready for waging a movement for the ‘restoration’ of people’s voting and other rights and democracy. – Staff Reporter
