Khaleda shows no sign of lifting transport blockade

Khaleda Zia is determined to press on with the nationwide transport blockade despite the government's warning against violence that has escalated in the past two weeks.

After meeting the BNP chairperson at her Gulshan office on Saturday, the party's Standing Committee member MK Anwar told reporters, "She is in better spirit than before."

"She has been reiterating that this illegal government has snatched the people's right to vote. The agitation will continue until their rights are restored."

Backing out from the movement was not an option, he said.

Khaleda, who is leading the BNP and its allies in the movement for a snap election under a nonpartisan administration, has been virtually under siege at her office since Jan 3.

She called a nonstop countrywide transport blockade from Jan 5 after she failed to organise anti-government programmes that day as police stopped her from leaving the office.

Rampant violence, including frequent arsons and explosions and deaths, across the country has marred the blockade until now.

The government has warned the BNP of tough measures for the deadly violence.

Since its acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was arrested, no central leader was seen visiting Khaleda's Gulshan office.

Three Standing Committee members – Mahbubur Rahman, Jamiruddin Sircar and Rafiqul Islam Miah – had met her after a week. MK Anwar was the last senior leader to visit the BNP chief Saturday.

Anwar criticised the recent remarks of the inspector general of police and RAB director general. "It's sad that top officials of the law-enforcing agencies are talking like politicians nowadays."

Responding to a question, he said his party would not take up any programme to mark the birthday of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman on Jan 19.