Boat to ‘sink’ on December 30: Zafrullah of opposition pact

Gonoshasthya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury on Friday said no plan of the government to ‘control’ the December-30 national election will work with the spontaneous presence of voters at every polling station.

“Your (govt’s) all plans to establish control on the election will turn into a futile exercise as people will go to polling stations since early morning…the government’s boat (AL’s election symbol) will sink on December 30,” he said. Zafrullah, a pro-BNP professional, came up with the comments while speaking at a discussion arranged by Jatiyatabadi Chalok Dal at the Jatiya Press Club.

He hoped that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will be freed from jail getting justice after the national election. “But, she’ll be released through ensuring justice, not at anybody’s mercy.”The pro-BNP intellectual said the victory of Jatiya Oikyafront, led by Dr Kamal Hossain, is certain in the upcoming election.

Zafrullah, also an Oikyafront leader, called upon leaders and activists of the alliance to go to every polling station early morning braving all barriers and intimidation to cast their votes and help voters exercise their franchise.He suggested the leaders of BNP and the Oikyafront not take any decision of boycotting the election under any circumstance.

Zafrullah, however, assured the ruling party leaders that they will not badly suffer like Khaleda Zia for their misdeeds if they get defeated in the election.He criticised the government for what he said its repressive acts and indulging in extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

Speaking at the programme, BNP chairperson’s adviser Zainul Abedin Farroque urged BNP leaders and activists to get ready for a battle of vote under any situation.“As we’ve participated in the election under a partisan government, we must fight till the last and guard the polling stations braving arrest and other barriers,” he added.

source: UNB