BNP sets Khaleda’s freedom as first condition for general election

The BNP says the release of Khaleda Zia from jail is the prerequisite for contesting the upcoming parliamentary election.

Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced a series of conditions from a rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters, the first in Dhaka in two and a half years.

“We have made our demand very clear – the number one prerequisite for elections in Bangladesh is freedom of Khaleda Zia. No election can be held with her in jail and the people won’t let this happen,” he said.     

Their other conditions for running in the election included abdication of the government, dissolution of parliament, reformation of the Election Commission and army deployment during the polls, Mirza Fakhrul said.

He called for a ‘national unity’ of all political parties and professionals based on these demands.

Fakhrul, who had been involved in leftist politics as a student, also welcomed the formation of a new alliance by eight leftist parties, including the Communist Party of Bangladesh or CPB, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal or BaSaD, and Ganasanghati Andolan.

“I hope the other political parties will unite themselves and also unite the people to get rid of this misrule. We will be able to defeat them (ruling Awami League) and establish the people’s rights through this national unity,” he added.

“I hope the other political parties will unite themselves and also unite the people to get rid of this misrule. We will be able to defeat them (ruling Awami League) and establish the people’s rights through this national unity,” he added.

The BNP organised the rally for the release and treatment of Khaleda, who attended the last rally of the party in the capital on Jan 5, 2016 as chief guest.

Mirza Fakhrul presided over the afternoon rally that began after Friday prayers. The senior BNP leaders used a truck as a temporary podium.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police allowed the BNP to hold a ‘peaceful rally’ from 2pm to 5pm on a 23-point condition.

Leaders and workers with festoons and banners in hand poured into the venue, beginning at 2:30pm, to join the rally stretching from Fakirapool to Kakrail’s Nightingale intersection.

They also carried portraits of Khaleda and acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

Separate rallies have also been simultaneously arranged across the country for the same demand, according to BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

The BNP chairperson has been imprisoned since Feb 8, following her conviction in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

The BNP has been demanding her release and treatment in the United Hospital in the city, claiming Khaleda being severely sick.