Khaleda Zia has called upon non-residents Bangladeshis to play their due roles in the opposition’s movement to restore democracy in the country likewise Bangladesh’s war in 1971.
“The country has turned into a greater prison and the nation is now waiting to be freed. All the non-resident Bangladeshis will have to play their roles like they did during the war of liberation in 1971,” she said on Friday while exchanging Eid greetings with the party men and expatriate Bangladeshis in London.
The former premier termed the present Sheikh Hasina government “illegal and unelected” and said the country’s people would be forced to take to the streets very soon, according to a Bangladeshi journalist staying in the UK.Khaleda criticised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is now New York to attend UN meeting, for misrule and torture in the country, he said in an e-mail sent to this correspondent.
“We all have to be united to get rid of the situation and to save Bangladesh. BNP believes in peace, development and democracy. We want to introduce real democratic system in the country by uniting country’s all people so that free and fair election can be held like the one in UK,” she said.
“Those who will be elected in that election will be people’s real representative,” Khaleda said adding, “There is no peace and joy in the victory that comes through staffing of ballots.”
She expressed her optimism that people would vote for BNP if a free and fair election is held.
This is for the first time, the BNP chairperson spent any Eid abroad with her all family members which include her elder son Tarique Rahman, his wife Zubaida Khan Rahman, their daughter Zaima Zarnaz Rahman, her late younger son Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Syeda Sharmila Rahman and their daughters Zafira Rahman and Zahiya Rahman.
Tarique along with family members have been staying in London since late 2008. Recently he got political asylum in UK. Koko’s wife and daughters have left Malaysia recently for London where they have been staying since 2010.
Khaleda left the country for London on September 15 for treatment of her eyes and knees and to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with her family members, according to the party.
Khaleda spent most of her time at Tarique’s Kingston residence in East London on the Eid day. She exchanged Eid greetings with her three grand daughters, in-laws and Tarique.
In the afternoon, Khaleda exchanged Eid greeting with her party’s leaders, community leaders and different professionals at the War Park auditorium in Ill ford, London.
A chaotic situation created as the BNP’s UK chapter leaders and activists engaged in scuffle in queues to greet Khaleda. – Staff Reporter
