BNP MP Zahid says he will demand Khaleda’s release in parliament

BNP's Zahidur Rahman, who defied party orders to take oath as MP, has said in parliament he will speak for the release of its chief Khaleda Zia from jail.

Speaking to reporters after the swearing-in on Thursday, he said, “I took the oath going beyond the party’s decision. The party could expel me for this action. Even if I get expelled, I will stay beside the BNP.”

Asked what role he will play in the parliament, Zahid said, “I will speak for the release of my leader (Khaleda Zia) in parliament. She is an elderly woman aged 73 years. For the sake of democracy, she should be freed. This is my first pledge as a lawmaker.”

In the Dec 30 parliamentary elections, Zahid was elected as the lawmaker from the Thakurgaon-3 under the ‘paddy sheaf’ symbol.

The Jatiya Oikya Front, which includes the BNP, rejected the results of the polls alleging widespread rigging and called for a new general election.

Ignoring the alliance’s decision, two Gono Forum leaders – Sultan Muhammed Mansur Ahmed and Mokobbir Khan – have taken the oath.

Explaining the reason behind his decision to ignore the party’s order, he said, “I have been waiting for a long time. As the constituents elected me as their representative in parliament, they expect me to take oath.”

Claiming that he has been on the field for the party over the last 30 years, he said, “This is the fourth time I contested in the election. This constituency has never been won by the BNP. After the independence, the seat was won by the Awami League all the time.”