Dhaka, March 23 – BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed Friday claimed that his party would win the next parliamentary polls by a margin of 75 per cent seats if the election is free and fair.“If the next general election is held in a free and fair manner like that of the Supreme Court Bar, the difference of percentage in seats to be secured by the BNP and the Awami League will be 75,” he made the prediction while addressing a meeting a Jatiya Press Club.
His comments came hours after the pro-BNP panel of lawyers got a landslide victory in the just-held Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) election.
The pro-BNP panel led by current president Joynul Abedin and general secretary Mahbub Uddin Khokin swept the Bar elections as results were announced on Friday. The Pro-Awami League panel won only four posts compared to the pro-BNP panel’s 10 posts including the posts of president and general secretary.
Moudud, who is also a senior lawyer, said the Bar election results are indicative of the public support towards the BNP.
He said the BNP would launch movement should the ruling party continue to ignore their demand for holding a free, fair and participatory general elections under a party neutral administration.
“The coming months will be challenging for us. A time will come, when we’ll have no other alternative to waging a street movement if the government doesn’t reach an understanding.”
Dwelling on the country’s graduation from the LDC status, the former law minister said development is meaningless unless there is democracy and rights of expression.
“True development is not possible without development. Bangladesh would have attained the status of developing country 6-7 years ago, had the BNP been in power,” he added.
Zia Nagarik Forum, a pro-BNP group arranged the meeting demanding release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, now jailed in a graft case.
Barrister Moudud reiterated that the next general election will not be allowed to be held keeping their party chairperson Khaleda Zia in jail.
“The government is saying the judiciary is independent. But it’s also directing (jail authorities) not to provide our chairperson’s Vokalatnama (power of attorney) promptly. It has demonstrated the government’s dual policy to linger Khaleda Zia’s stay in jail,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said Khaleda Zia will return among them walking out of jail foiling the government’s all plots. “No national election can be held in the country without her participation as people won’t accept it.”
He said the government had thought it would be able to split BNP after sending its chairperson in jail, but its dream has got shattered as the party is now better united.
The BNP leader said their party leaders and activists will remain united no matter whether its chief stays in jail or comes out of jail. “I can assure you we’ll face all the challenges together maintaining our unity.” – Staff Reporter
