Opposition leader and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Thursday night urged Hindus to come under her party’s flag, saying then they would realise how kind the BNP was.
She said the Awami League had always blamed her party for militancy and minority repression, but actually it was the present ruling party that had always used the Hindus.
“They have used the Hindus since the country’s independence but the community has got nothing from the Awami League, which thinks Hindus have no other choice but to cast votes for it.
But now the Hindus have realised that they have been used and this was reflected in the five city corporation polls,” Khaleda said when leaders and members of the Hindu community went to her Gulshan office to greet her on the occasion of Janmashtami.
She said her party did not believe in the idea of calling people “minority” – it rather thought all were Bangladeshis.
Regarding militancy and minority repression, she said: “The government is using militancy and minority repression as a weapon against the BNP. But militancy rose during their [Awami League] period and they did not take any action against it.”
Khaleda alleged that activists of the Awami League vandalised temples across the country.
She urged Hindus to come under the flag of her party and “then you will understand how kind the BNP is.”
The opposition leader once again urged the government to pass a bill on the polls-time interim government in parliament if it wanted peace and welfare for the country.
She also urged the government to dissolve parliament after expiration of its tenure.
“A parliamentary election cannot be held while keeping a parliament already functional. So, amend the constitution in the upcoming parliament session,” Khaleda said.
“If you want peace and prosperity for the country and if you want to create an atmosphere for participation of all political parties in the next election, bring necessary amendments to the constitution,” she said, calling on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Earlier addressing a rally, Hasina had said the BNP-Jamaat alliance could not ensure peace for the people of the country. She urged all to come under the flag of the Awami League.
Khaleda said it would not be possible to hold a free and fair election under the incumbent government as it had politicised the public administration, judiciary and police.
“If the prime minister remains in office during the polls, the DCs, ASPs will work as per her directives. They will not listen to our complaints. How will free and fair polls take place then?”
Branding the present Election Commission as worthless and loyal to the government, Khaleda said the government had politicised the commission, too.
The leaders and members of the Hindu community greeted Khaleda with a bouquet. The BNP chairperson also greeted them.
