Khaleda staying back in London as her conspiracies failed: AL’s Matia

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is staying back in the UK because she is conspiring against the Hasina government, Agricultural Minister Matia Chowdhury has claimed.

Khaleda went to London in July and had an eye surgery at the Moorfields Eye Hospital there the following month.

The media recently quoted BNP leaders as saying that the BNP chief was set to return. But in latest statements, they said she would have to stay back as her appointment with doctor was delayed.

Blaming Khaleda for the Aug 21 grenade attack in 2004, Matia said: “Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League government are being subjected to conspiracies but she (Khaleda) seems to get her way out.”

Khaleda is delaying her return because a quarter of the BNP has failed in its attempts against the government, added Matia, also a Presidium member of the ruling Awami League.

“When did she announce a date in the first place? Maybe she had dreams that something would happen and she will rise to power. But now that nothing as such has happened, she is staying back,” the Awami League stalwart remarked.

She also blamed Khaleda over Hasina’s arrest during the army-backed caretaker government in 2007.

“The government has faced three major challenges this year, first it were the landslides, then the flashfloods and now it is the Rohingya crisis.”

Matia came down hard on the BNP for its suggestion to use military against Myanmar.

“Different quarters are trying to instigate the government. But Hasina’s government is calmly handling the issue,” she said while addressing a party event on Thursday. “To some extent, she (Hasina) has been successful in gathering support of different countries for the Rohingyas at the UN General Assembly.”

The agricultural minister conceded that there is mismanagement in the food sector.

“It is true. We are importing rice now whereas we used to export them. Some media reports containing misinformation like ‘India has stopped exporting rice’ has worsened the situation,” claimed the minister.

Food Minister Qamrul Islam also addressed the seminar held by Oporajeyo Bangla in protest against “conspiracies against nation and government.”

“The nation is united with Sheikh Hasina on Rohingya issue. But, the BNP is unnecessarily stressing dialogue with political parties over the issue,” he said.