On Sunday night, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia discussed the Election Commission, Awami League, attacks on minorities, and international relations with the newly-elected Dhaka Bar Lawyer Association's president, general secretary and other BNP-affiliated leaders.
Khaleda opened by saying a neutral election would have seen BNP be an unstoppable force. She alleged that Awami League could not win in a fair election, and thus were forced to rig the EC for subversive purposes.
She called the election commissioner unqualified, a controversial figure and vigorously attacked the Election Commission.
The BNP chairperson then said the ruling party had been assailing BNP by filing cases and attacking BNP leaders and activists.
She also said the government has become autocratic and those in charge think of themselves as kings, since they were not elected by the people, rather took power by force.
Khaleda further fumed, saying the government is maddened by power and is dehumanising everyone else, treating the people like serfs. She said Awami League’s atrocities had even deprived hawkers of their livelihoods.
In addition, she said when BNP tried to peacefully protest, Awami League attacked people and torched vehicles and blamed it all on BNP.
She added the ruling party plans for new projects, but fails to implement them. Instead, the government increases the budget and swindles the money.
She alleged that Awami League was responsible for attacks on minorities, pointing out the attack on Santals in Gaibandha in particular.
Khaleda went on to say that BNP wants to be on good terms with all allied nations, but would never concede national interests to appease foreign powers. She reproached Awami League for not protesting the border killings by the BSF.
She concluded by saying BNP does not cheat to win elections, rather swayed by the popular vote. Khaleda accused Awami League of cheating and rigging elections to win, claiming the general public did not support Awami League.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
