Govt playing dirty politics with Khaleda’s health, says BNP

The BNP has expressed its concern over the health of party chief Khaleda Zia and has condemned the government’s ‘dirty politics’ surrounding the matter.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has also called for the imprisoned BNP chairperson to be transferred to Dhaka’s United Hospital as soon as possible for her ‘proper treatment’.

Former prime minister Khaleda has been serving a five-year prison sentence in prison in Old Dhaka since being convicted in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on Feb 8.

A medical board was formed for her treatment after she fell ill earlier this month. The board declared her illness was not serious.

The BNP says it does not trust the medical board.

“We are receiving news that Begum Khaleda Zia’s condition is steadily worsening in prison,” Mirza Fakhrul said at a press conference at the BNP headquarters on Saturday. “It is upsetting to us, the country and the nation.”

“I will tell the government, there is still time, release the leader of the country and allow her to receive treatment with her preferred doctors and specialists at United Hospital. Otherwise, it will have to bear the burden of a worsening of her condition.”

The BNP secretary general called on the government to clear a way for Khaleda’s release and proper treatment instead of ‘playing dirty politics’.

“We have learned from media reports that a medical team to examine the leader of the country. A two-member team led by Prof Maliha Rashid went to see her.”

“The reports said she is afflicted by several illnesses, including acute rheumatic arthritis, which causes a lot of suffering.”

Though X-rays and blood tests were conducted during a visit to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, there was concern that no MRI was conducted, Fakhrul said.

“She needs to have a special kind of MRI. She also needs an ultrasonography of her whole abdomen.”

“The doctors said the bed she has in prison is not suitable for her. The doctors also recommended therapy, which is not possible in prison. She has a damp prison cell. It has been recommended that she be transferred to United Hospital for her treatment without delay.”

Fakhrul also condemned the prison authorities for their refusal to make statements regarding Khaleda’s health condition.

Khaleda has been imprisoned to bar her from politics and prevent her involvement in the elections, he said.

He also criticised the decision not to allow the family to see her for 10 days.

It is clear the government is trying to create a smokescreen over Khaleda’s health, Fakhrul said.

“Why such fear? Let the leader of the country take to the field, let her do the political work of an opposition party and stop using the police at will to interfere. Then see how far you get. You do not have the courage to face a political challenge.”