Punish the corrupt in ruling party as well

Expressing their reactions over the verdict in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, left-leaning political parties yesterday demanded punishment for all the corrupt people including those involved with the ruling party.

“Our support will be with the process where a person, no matter how powerful, does not get away from the liability of corruption and criminal activities,” said Workers Party of Bangladesh (WPB) in a statement.

A new example has been set through the verdict against Khaleda Zia, it added.

Meanwhile, Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said steps should be taken to ensure that law could take its own course.

In a joint statement, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal and Ganatantrik Bam Morcha also demanded punishment for all the corrupt.

To prove that Khaleda is punished only for corruption, and there was no political motive behind it, the government should take actions against the corrupt in the ruling party, it read.

Pointing out that “huge corruption” took place during the BNP-led government, the leaders of left leaning political parties said “uncontrolled graft” has been taking place during the incumbent government as well.

News on laundering and looting hundreds of crores of taka have been published. But the "offenders", who are in power, are being exonerated, which is not acceptable, they added.

On the other hand, Shoto Nagorik Jatiya Committee, a pro-BNP platform, in a statement said Khaleda did not get justice. They demanded her immediate release and withdrawal of all the cases against her.