‘AL trying to eliminate all political opposition’
Says Mirza Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday alleged that the government is indulged in politics of vengeance with an ulterior motive to eliminate existence of all opposition political parties in the country.
“Not only BNP, the government is working in a planned way so that existence of all opposition political parties are erased from the country,” Fakhrul said while addressing a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office.
Answering a query from BNP lawmaker Rumeen Farhana in the parliament, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said, “Awami League doesn’t believe in the politics of vengeance. If we did so, there would have been no existence of BNP.”
“By saying this, did she [PM] hint that they are really working to eliminate existence of opposition political parties?” Fakhrul questioned.
“Those of us who are old, have been observing the political history since 1975 how one-party rule was established to daunt different opinions. Now the same rule is being materialised in a different way,” the BNP leader alleged.
He said bail petitions of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia are repeatedly being rejected by the court, as the issue has been politicised.
“The government is violating country’s constitution by not ensuring judicial independence, and equality in the judiciary,” Fakhrul said.
Referring to the Zia Charitable and Zia Orphanage trust graft cases, Fakhrul said the government has destroyed all state organs and institutions by establishing its political control.
Citing statistics from two months ago, Fakhrul said around 26 lakh people have been implicated in over one lakh politically motivated cases.
Over 5,000 leaders and activists -- including former lawmakers and commissioners -- have been disappeared and several thousands of them have also been killed, the BNP leader said.
“Most of our leaders are accused in at least 40 to 100 cases. How can we call the country a democratic state?” Fakhrul said.
BNP ANNOUNCES 12-DAY HUMAN CHAIN PROGRAMMES
The party yesterday announced a 12-day human-chain programme in the city, to intensify its movement demanding release of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The party chalked out the programme at a joint meeting of BNP and its associate bodies at the Nayapaltan office, with Mirza Fakhrul in the chair. The programmes will begin on September 15 with a human chain to be arranged by Jatiyatabadi Matshajibi Dal.
Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal will form a human chain on September 16 while Tanti Dal on September 17; Association of Engineers, Bangladesh on September 18; Doctors Association of Bangladesh on September 19; Jubo Dal on September 20; Ulema Dal on September 21; Mohila Dal on September 22; Krishak Dal on September 24; Sramik Dal on September 25; Agriculturist Association of Bangladesh on September 27; and Swechchasebak Dal on September 28.