Celebration without Khaleda won’t be successful: Fakhrul

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said the celebrations of "Mujib Borsho" will not be successful keeping Khaleda Zia in jail.

"Khaleda Zia fought for democracy throughout her life. She has been jailed numerous time in this regard. Even now she is in jail… only because of her efforts to restore democracy in the country," he said.

"So, [the celebration of] Mujib Borsho won't be successful, keeping her in jail," the BNP leader said.

Fakhrul came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after placing wreaths at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. Sheikh Rabiul Alam, party candidate for by-polls to Dhaka-10, accompanied him.

The BNP secretary general said democracy was the main spirit of Bangladesh's independence. "People fought for a long time for independence and thus we became independent," he said.

He also criticised the government for inviting Indian premier Narendra Modi at Mujib Borsho celebrations.

When his attention was drawn to ruling party leaders' remark that BNP is not serious about polls, Fakhrul alleged that Awami League leaders are making various comments to mislead people since they have been in power without "the mandate of people and support".

He said their party is participating in different elections, including Dhaka-10 by-polls, maintaining the democratic principles as BNP believes in change of power through elections.

"We've been joining polls as part of our movement to restore democracy and free Khaleda Zia. We're very serious about elections. But the government tries to bring elections in its favour by intimidating people and using the state machinery," Fakhrul alleged.

He also said their candidate, Rabiul, is a competent and popular leader. "We believe he'll come out successful."

Dhaka-10 fell vacant on December 27 last year, after mayor-elect Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh resigned as lawmaker to contest the Dhaka south city polls. The by-polls will be held on March 22.