Awami League not concerned over BNP’s program to release Khaleda

Awami League is not concerned about BNP’s ongoing program over its party chief Khaleda Zia’s release. The ruling party is also not bothering about BNP’s threat to launch tougher movements. During a program on March 22, BNP Standing Committee Member Moudud Ahmed said they would wage a movement demanding party Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s release. However, Awami League leaders said BNP has no power to forge a movement and so there is no chance to win the challenge. Awami League thinks BNP will soon fade into oblivion as it is not a pro-people party and is rife with corruption and misrule. The BNP leaders have made the statements to keep workers active, not for the movement, say AL leaders. On February 8, a Dhaka court convicted Khaleda in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case and sentenced her to five years in jail. She is being held at the jail on Nazimuddin Road in old Dhaka. Awami League Presidium Member Abdur Razzak said: “We have heard BNP’s threats in the past and are hearing it now. But we do not see them waging any movement. "We think we will not see any movement in the future also.” He said: “People laugh at the BNP leaders when they talk about movements. We have only been hearing about movements but they do not take to the streets. “The people of Bangladesh are not with them. The [BNP] leaders are also not on behalf of the movement. So, no movement can be waged.” However, a source claimed that Awami Legaue wants the BNP to wage a movement because if they take to streets, people will suffer and law enforcers will take a strong stance against it. Another Awami League Presidium Member Faruk Khan said: “If BNP thinks of anything else beyond organizing themselves and participating in the election, then their fall will be imminent. So, let them decide what they will do.”This article was first published on banglatribune.com