BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has said those in power are plotting to keep her away from politics by proving her unfit to stand for election.
Speaking to journalists after appearing before Dhaka Special Judges Court 5 on Thursday morning, the BNP chief drew direct comparisons between the cases filed against her and those which had involved her rival, Sheikh Hasina.
“I just want to say that even after being indicted in similar cases, the other leader enjoyed facilities which I have not demanded,” the BNP chief told journalists after making her defence in the Zia Orphanage Trust case before Dhaka Special Judges Court 5.
“Sometimes I feel maybe Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has a magic wand through which the corruption, extortion and other cases against her disappeared when she came to power. But none of us have such magic wands; so the cases against us are still there (and) more and more have been filed.”
Khaleda said several important cases against her which have been running for years, had recently seen a new urgency.
“The cases against me have sped up as if someone is in a hurry. ‘Finish it fast and just give a verdict against Khaleda Zia’. What is the motive and why this haste? Will justice prevail?”
Khaleda said she would not have dropped the cases against her even if she had a magic wand. “I just want justice,” she said.
The opposition leader - who recently returned from a long period of receiving medical treatment in London - said the people of the nation had doubts whether she would get justice regarding the cases filed against her.
“Reports, opinions and analysis have been published in different newspapers about the conspiracy against me, and the deeds of government high-ups have made it clear,” the BNP chief said.
Khaleda said she has been trying to ensure rights of the public and freedom of expression of the judiciary.
“I have been playing the role of an opposition leader and I am not talking about it for publicity. I do not want to seek extra facilities or honour for this,” she said, adding that she does not consider herself above the law and justice.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the Zia Orphanage Trust case in 2008 against six people, including Khaleda and her eldest son Tarique Rahman, for allegedly misusing Tk2.1 crore of trust funds.
In addition, in 2011 the ACC accused the BNP chief and three others of misappropriating Tk3.15 crore from the fund.
This article was first published on Bangla Tribune