'Govt making shady arms deals to stay in power'

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday accused the government of making “shady arms deal” with different countries in its own interest.

“Hasina's government is purchasing arms from different countries including India without floating any tender. Those arms are purchased in exchange for commission,” she said while addressing a programme to mark the 38th anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at the Institute of Engineers' Bangladesh in the capital.

The government purchases arms from the countries that give an assurance of helping it to stay in power, the former premier said, citing particularly the name of India. 

Greeting the country's people in the New Year, Khaleda asked her party leaders and activists to bring the BNP to power once again through movements and reorganisation of the party.

She said like the police had set fire to the Santal village in Gaibandha's Gobindaganj upazila, the police, with directives from the government, had also hurled petrol bombs at buses and killed people to confuse people and defuse the BNP-led anti-government movement in 2015.

Khaleda urged student leaders and activists to be prepared for waging a movement at the right time and asked them to refrain from chanting slogans for mere demonstration.

“I was on the streets during the anti-Ershad movement. I have brought the BNP to power thrice. Inshallah, the BNP will again come to power after reorganising the party properly without any grouping, lobbying. Competent leaders will be given leadership.”

She called upon JCD men to prepare themselves for saving the country and brining smiles to poor people's faces.

The BNP chief said she would announce a movement at the right time to achieve those targets.

Referring to her talks with President Abdul Hamid, Khaleda expressed the hope that he would take measures to hold the next general elections under a polls-time government for ensuring free, fair and inclusive polls.

“An impartial election commission is not enough for free and fair elections. That's why we have urged the president to take measures for an election-time government,” she added. 

Criticising the ruling Awami League's rigid stance to cling to power, she said it was passing laws frequently and destroying the country and its young generations to remain in power forever.

The BNP chief also slammed the Jatiya Party, opposition in parliament, saying it had turned into a slave of the government from the very beginning.