BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has again asked the government to resolve the country’s “political crisis” through engaging in dialogue with the opposition political parties with a view to holding an acceptable election.
"We have urged the government to engage in dialogue with all concerned to resolve the crisis and to restore a government that represents the people through a credible election. Now the ball is in the ruling party's court," she said while addressing the national council of a faction of Bangladesh Islami Oikya Jote at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, on Thursday.
The three-time former premier hoped that the ruling party would take proper steps leaving the path of confrontation.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party chief Shafiul Alam Prodhan, among others, spoke at the function. IOJ Chairman Maulana Abdur Rakib presided over the council.
Khaleda alleged that there was no democracy, no pro-people government or no good governance in the country. "All institutions have collapsed. There is anarchy everywhere. The law and order has deteriorated sharply."
Noting that the common people were suffering miserably, she claimed that injustice, repression, murder, violation of women rights, corruption and looting had exceeded all previous records.
She alleged that Bangladesh had been made alienated and friendless in the international arena. “The government is now busy clinging to power by choosing the path of slavery instead of friendship.”
About her party, Khaleda said that they were now reorganising the BNP after the council of the country’s largest and most popular political party.
Noting that the country was now passing through a very tough time, Fakhrul claimed that more than 500 leaders and activists of the party had lost their lives in the struggle for democracy and rights, while over 300 others fell victim of forced disappearance.
He strongly criticised the arrest warrant issued against Khaleda Zia in Jatrabari arson case. “It is very shameful that the BNP chairperson was shown as fugitive in the charge sheet of the case, though she attends her office every day, and joins meetings and rallies regularly,” Fakhrul added.
