Jailed BNP chief Khaleda tells party to continue peaceful protests, ignore provocation

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has instructed the party to continue with peaceful protests and ‘not to fall into the trap of any provocation’, according to senior leaders.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 7 March 2018, 12:45 PM
Updated : 7 March 2018, 03:12 PM

A former prime minister, Khaleda has been in jail since Feb 8, after a Dhaka court convicted her of misusing international donations meant for an orphanage.

On Wednesday, a delegation of BNP policymakers, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met the party chief at the old jailhouse on Dhaka’s Nazimuddin Road.

“She has categorically told us not to fall into the trap of provocation and instructed the party to continue with the peaceful protests,” Mirza Fakhrul told the media after the meeting, which lasted for more than an hour.

He said Khaleda’s physical condition was stable. “She’s asked us to let people know that she is fine and she is willing to sacrifice anything for democracy and the country.”

Mirza Fakhrul said Khaleda was in high spirits. “She is dealing with the adverse situation with courage and is concerned about the country. She believes the truth will be established.”

Accusing the government of levelling ‘false charges’ against the party chief, the senior BNP leader said the legal and political battles are continuing simultaneously.

Replying to a query from the media, Mirza Fakhrul said the party was now running on a ‘joint leadership’ since Khaleda was jailed.

“We are taking all the decisions in consultation with the acting chairman.”

The BNP delegation entered the prison premises shortly before 2pm, after getting the home ministry’s clearance earlier in the day.

“It was quarter past 3 when our meeting started,” said Mirza Fakhrul.

The meeting ended around 4:30pm, according to prison officials.

BNP National Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Abdul Moyeen Khan and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury were part of the delegation.

Khaleda’s personal aide ABM Abdus Sattar also accompanied the team.