Can’t run BNP on London-resident Tarique’s orders: Zafrullah

Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury has asked BNP leaders to find a way to run the party without party chief Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman.

The pro-BNP professional has raised doubts about the effectiveness of the party practices, offering suggestions to make it more effective.

He asked the party’s leaders to discuss ways to run the party if BNP chief Khaleda Zia is jailed in corruption cases.

Chowdhury told senior leaders: “Will the BNP cease to exist if Khaleda Zia goes to jail? You certainly don’t want that.

“Her son Tarique Rahman has my affections. He’s doing well in London. But you can’t run the party on his orders from there. Discuss the matter with him.”

At a recent discussion, BNP Standing Committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy urged the government to hold an election under a caretaker government even if the party’s top leaders were declared ‘ineligible’ to contest.

Saturday’s programme marked the eighth anniversary of Khaleda’s release from prison. She was freed on Sept 11, 2008 on High Court orders after her arrest during the military-backed caretaker government.

Freedom fighter Zafrullah Chowdhury, who questioned the war crimes trials, has been speaking for the BNP- Jamaat-e-Islami alliance in television talk shows.

He asked the BNP leaders to stop eulogising the party chief.

“At this programme, I’ve heard the party leaders heap praises on the leader (Khaleda). Who doesn’t praise a beautiful lady? But please stop this practice. It won’t do you any good,” he said.

But Chowdhury himself praised Khaleda in a programme last year.

"...Our leader is beautiful and people like you,” he had said adding, "You look terrific in Jamdani saree!"

At Saturday’s programme, he also criticised the BNP’s Dhaka metropolitan unit convenor Mirza Abbas for going into hiding.

“...You can’t continue like this. It won’t be good for either Abbas or Khaleda Zia or us,” he told Abbas’ wife Afroza Abbas.

Chowdhury said the party’s Standing Committee needed to hold meetings to decide about their future steps.

“I’ve told Khaleda Zia to announce a committee for the sake of the party and the state. Make Emajuddin Ahmed its chairman and include us,” he added.

He said he believed the time had come to make amendments to the party’s charter fixed during Ziaur Rahman’s regime.

“Take part in party activities. Otherwise, the day to mark [Khaleda’s] release from jail will turn into a day of suicide,” he warned.