BNP sees plot to banish Khaleda from politics on Hasina's orders

The BNP has accused the government of conspiring to arrest party chief Khaleda Zia in a bid to exile her from politics.

“The government is targeting Khaleda Zia as their last resort," Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said in a statement on Thursday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told Parliament that Khaleda could be tried for the loss of life and property during the blockades and strikes she ordered on Jan 5.

Rizvi alleged the prime minister was considering the BNP chairperson "a major obstacle to her bid to hang on to power".

"They are plotting to arrest Khaleda Zia to remove her from politics. The prime minister’s statement in Parliament suggests so,” he claimed.

The BNP leader also accused the government of deliberately attacking opposition activists.

Rizvi demanded release of party activist arrested during its latest agitations.