BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said the celebrations of “Mujib Year” will not be successful keeping BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in jail.
“No single person or party can get the credits for the country’s independence since the people of the entire country had liberated Bangladesh from Pakistan through a long war and struggle,” he said on Saturday, reports UNB.
Fakhrul came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after placing wreaths at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave together with the party’s candidate for Dhaka 10 by-polls Sheikh Rabiul Alam.
“The government’s assertion about observing the “Mujib Year” with all irrespective of their opinions and parties is a mockery. Because, Khaleda Zia fought for democracy throughout her life and even she was taken to jail by the Pakistani forces in 1971 for the Liberation War,” the BNP leader said.
He also said Khaleda had fought for democracy for nine years during the autocratic rule of HM Ershad and thus established democracy. “Now, she has been in jail only because of her efforts to restore democracy. “So, (the celebration of) Mujib Borsho won’t be successful keeping her in jail.”
He said democracy was the main spirit of Bangladesh’s independence and demand for the libation was made centering democracy.
“The people of the entire country fought for a long time for the independence and thus we got the independence. So, an individual and a party cannot claim to get the all credits for the independence,” the BNP leader observed.
About Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Bangladesh to attended the celebration of Mujib Year, marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said the recent religious riots took place in India have an in impact on Bangladesh. “They (India) will now consider how much it will be decent for him (Modi) to come here under such a situation.”
As his attention was drawn to ruling party leaders’ remark that BNP is not serious about election, Fakhrul said Awami League leaders are making various comments to mislead people since they have been in power without “people’s’ mandate 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 the polls.
“We have been joining polls as part of our movement to restore democracy and free Khaleda Zia. We are also very serious about the elections. But the government tries to take the election to its favour by intimidating people and using the state machinery,” Fakhrul alleged.
Meanwhile, five members of Khadela’s family went to visit her at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) at 3pm on Saturday, BNP Chairperson’s Press Wing Official Shamsuddin Didar confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune.