BNP hits back at PM for comment on Khaleda

Taking a swipe at the Prime Minister for accusing Khaleda Zia of creating the scope for HM Ershad to grab power in 1982, BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said it is the Awami League-led government that has destroyed democracy together with Jatiya Party.

Fakhrul also accused the Prime Minister of creating a “domestic opposition” in parliament.

“She (PM Sheikh Hasina) often makes baseless statements in parliament. The fact is that when Ershad usurped power by ousting an elected president, she (Hasina) said she was not unhappy,” he said.

Talking to reporters after placing wreaths at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman along with leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dol marking its 41st founding anniversary, he said, “She (Hasina) destroyed democracy and snatched people’s rights along with Ershad by making alliance with his party. Ershad was the ‘domestic opposition leader’ of Awami League.”

Speaking about the condolence motion on late opposition leader HM Ershad and others at Jatiya Sangsad, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday alleged that Khaleda Zia paved the way for HM Ershad to take over power in 1982 and enjoyed various benefits from the former military ruler.

“Sattar (Justice Abdus Sattar) was the acting chairman of BNP. Though Begum Khaleda Zia didn’t join politics at that time, she suddenly made a statement to oust Sattar from the post of chairman. I would like to say Khaleda Zia had created the scope for Ershad to grab power in 1982,” she said.

Fakhrul alleged that the current government has kept BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in jail out of its political vengeance.

He claimed that Khaleda is very unwell but she is not receiving proper treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. “We hope we’ll free her from jail through a united movement and restore democracy.”