This govt worse than that of 1/11: Fakhrul

BNP yesterday alleged that the incumbent government is worse than that of the 1/11 army-backed caretaker government, as it has snatched all the basic rights of people and political parties.

“The illegal 1/11 government had imprisoned our leader [Khaleda Zia] through a conspiracy. But she forced that regime to withdraw the state of emergency and free her. The current fascist government is worse than them [1/11 regime],” said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of the party.

He made the allegation after offering prayers at a milad mahfil at the party's Nayapaltan headquarters, marking party chairperson Khaleda Zia's 74th birthday.

Fakhrul also urged party leaders and activists to wage a movement, even if they have to risk their lives, to force the government to free their Chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.

Criticising the government for “repressing” students who waged a movement seeking safe roads, Fakhrul said, “The government brutally repressed the students' non-political movement. Students are being arrested and picked up. Even girls are not being spared.”

To get out of the situation, the BNP leader said there is no alternative for political parties to waging a strong movement.

“As a political party, it is our duty to restore democracy and people's rights and free Khaleda Zia,” he said.

Remembering Khaleda's role in democratic movements, he said she took to the streets for nine years and ensured the fall of an autocratic regime in the 90s.

The party held doa mahfil in all upazilas and districts across the country praying for Khaleda's wellbeing and release from jail.

The BNP chairperson has been behind bars since her conviction in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case by a lower court on February 8.