BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Saturday warned the government of
giving a befitting reply in time against its all the acts of injustice
and repression.
“Now, it is not time to shed tears over the incidents of forced
disappearance, killing and repression. It is the time to protest and
put up resistance against the government,” she said while addressing
the 6th council of the Dhaka city unit of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, a
front organisation of the BNP at the Institution of Engineers,
Bangladesh in the city.The former premier reiterated her demand of the government for taking
initiative for talks immediately to hold a fresh election under a
non-party government.
“Otherwise, the consequence will not be good for the government if it
delays and continue to indulge in repression on BNP leaders and
activists and you (government) will be responsible for it,” she said
adding that there is a limit to people’s patience and they would not
wait for a long.
Khaleda categorically said they would go for a movement on time after
reorganizing the party but not at the behest of others. “We are
getting preparation for movement. The BNP will of course launch
movement against the undemocratic government,” she added.
She said the democracy in Bangladesh is dead as what she said the
illegal government has buried it through holding the January 5
elections.
“The people have witnessed the sample of Awami League’s election
through January 5 and upazila polls… The opposition leader and the
Speaker were also not elected by the people,” she added.
The BNP chief alleged that abusive remarks are being made in
Parliament by expending money from the government exchequer.
She also alleged that the government has been using the Election
Commission (EC) and law enforcing agencies for political purpose. “The
administration has become standstill as the government created
indiscipline and anarchic situation in the civil administration by
political elements. Massive corruption and irregularities have also
plagued the police administration,” she added.
Referring to the recent spurt in gold smuggling through the country’s
airports, the former premier said the golden boys are sitting
everywhere and gold smuggling is going on day and night because of
their favour but none of them is brought to justice.
“There is no investment in the country both local and international
because of illegal government,” she said.
She called upon the people to build resistance against the
destruction of the country.
The former opposition leader termed Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad as
a real betrayer and said people are leaving his party as he is not
trust worthy.
Ershad has committed many corruption and killed many people but he was
not brought to justice and all his sins have remained there, she
added.
She further said before January 5 polls, the JP chairman had said that
he withdrew his candidature and questioned how he took oath as an MP
and became special envoy of the prime minister.
She called upon the party rank and file to elect the dedicated and
well-known leadership so that they could build up the movement instead
of going for ovation only.
The BNP chairperson said the Dhaka city committee would be reorganised
combining new and old dynamic leadership to provide impetus to the
movement.
She said the country became friendless in the world due to its
behaviour and labour market is being closed and the labourers are
returning.
Khaleda also criticised the government for enhancing power price for
several times, destroying the congenial atmosphere in the educational
institutions and closing of industries.
BNP standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Abdul Moin Khan,
joint secretary general Abdullah Al Noman, vice chairman Sadeque
Hossain Khoka, labour affairs secretary Zafrul Hasan. Dhaka city
Sramik Dal president Rehan Ali presided over the council
Sadeque Hossain Khoka said the AL leader Tofail Ahmed should express
gratitude to the BNP chairperson for his position in the present
cabinet of Sheikh Hasina’s government.
Reacting on Tofail’s comment about Khaleda Zia, he also mentioned that
Tofail was involved in the killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman.
Khoka said Tarique Rahman had commented based on documents that Major
Zia had not only been the proclaimer of Independence, he had also been
the first president of Bangladesh. It was a historical fact and part
of the history, he added.
He further said there are many stories about the role the people like
Tofail, Nasim and Amu after the 1/11 changeover and request not to
compel them to raise those issues. – Staff Reporter
