BNP has reiterated its decision not to take part in the upcoming national election if party chief Khaleda Zia remains in jail.
BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan made the statement during a meeting organized by Nagorik Odhikar Andolon Forum at National Press Club in Dhaka on Saturday.
Nazrul, also the convener of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, said: “The government wants to run another faux election, and it is our duty to force them to hold a free, fair election.
“Our Chairperson Khaleda Zia must be released before the elections, or BNP will not be taking part in the polls.”
Claiming that the government itself was doing publicity work for BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman, Nazrul said: “They talk about us all day. Whenever I log on to Facebook, I see Tarique Rahman’s speeches going viral.”
He also complained that Khaleda was not being taken care of properly in the jail.
“Our senior leaders have met the home minister and urged him to immediately provide Khaleda with the required healthcare, and he relayed the request to the prison IG, but we have not seen any results,” he said.
“Specialists have said Khaleda Zia needs to be treated at a hospital abroad as soon as possible; her treatment is not possible inside a jail. They also said she might lose her eyesight and her ability to walk if she is not treated soon,” Nazrul added.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
