AL anti-liberation
Urging all to be prepared for a bigger anti-government movement, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday demanded the next parliamentary elections on time under an impartial caretaker government.
She also demanded release of all opposition leaders including those arrested for crimes against humanity. She said Awami League is the real anti-liberation force and that is why actions should be taken against them.
Mentioning the names of arrested Jamaat leaders including Motiur Rahman Nizami and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed, she said the government arrested them in false cases. “They [govt] branded Jamaat leaders as anti-liberation force but the real anti-liberation force was Awami League.”
The BNP chief was addressing a huge rally at Chapainawabganj Government College ground wrapping up her two-day road march to mount pressure on the government to restore the caretaker government system.
Previously, she had been demanding immediate resignation of the government followed by an election under an impartial caretaker government, but this is the first time she asked for an election on time.
On the second day of the programme, she started her journey from Bogra around 11:00am and addressed a rally on the way at Naogaon around 1:00pm. She arrived in Chapainawabganj at 5:10pm with a motorcade of around 800-1,000 vehicles.
People from all walks of life welcomed Khaleda standing on both sides of the road. They carried placards, posters and portraits of late president Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman.
Hundreds of party leaders, workers and supporters welcomed her at Chapainawabganj rally chanting slogans. The district town almost turned into a town procession.
Khaleda said a greater agitation programme to oust the government would be declared after the road marches.
“Awami League wants to hold the election staying in power but no polls will be allowed in the country without a non-party caretaker government. Even the Election Commission must be reconstituted in consultation with all parties,” she reiterated.
She firmly said the election will be under a caretaker government and Awami League will be seen taking part in it.
The former premier said the government has taken a mega plan to destroy the country and that they [govt] brought amendments to the constitution using a court verdict to stay in power forever although the verdict said the next two elections can be held under caretaker governments.
Khaleda also accused the government of obstructing the road march and termed it afraid for shutting down BNP's website.
“But the government could not stop the wave of people. The people do not want to see this government in power any more as it has failed to implement its electoral pledges,” she said, adding that the government provided corridor facility to India but the people will not let it happen.
Censuring the government for absolute failure, she also said the World Bank has postponed funding for the Padma bridge project alleging corruption but no action has been taken against the corrupt minister.
“Those [in the govt] who are to take actions against the minister have already got their share of money,” she claimed.
She also lambasted the finance minister saying, “The minister said he can't understand what's wrong with the sharemarket and if it is true, why isn't he resigning? The ruling party men looted money from the sharemarket and siphoned it off.”
Questioning the patriotism of the prime minister and her family, Khaleda said a person all whose family members live in another country, cannot have feelings for the country.
At the roadside rally in Naogaon, the former premier asked people to get ready for stronger protests and prepare to come to the capital to make the anti-government movement a success.
Shahjahan Mia, president of district BNP unit, presided over the Chapainawabganj rally that was conducted by lawmaker Syeda Asifa Ashrafi Papia, also general secretary of the unit.
On September 27, Khaleda declared three road marches towards Sylhet, Rajshahi and Chittagong. But later the Rajshahi road march was shifted to Chapainawabganj and the Chittagong road march was postponed due to Hajj and Eid-ul-Azha.
As per party decision, Khaleda will lead road marches towards Khulna, Barisal, Chittagong and Rangpur after Eid.
Comments