BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has again warned of fresh anti-government agitations.
But she assured that her party’s demonstration would be ‘peaceful’ this time.
The BNP-led alliance had enforced a violent three-month agitation since January to press for a snap election.
It left over 100 people dead, thousands of vehicles damaged and the economy bleeding.
On the day of Eid, Saturday, Khaleda greeted diplomats, party activists and people from all walks of life at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
She later addressed the media over the current political situation.
At the briefing, she was mainly asked why the BNP was not active on the streets.
“Numerous cases have been filed against us,” Khaleda explained. “Many of our leaders and activists are in jail while several others have been forced into disappearance.”
“We will hit the streets with the people in a peaceful democratic way,” the former prime minister added.
She said her party’s latest movement would be for the “welfare of the country and the people”.
Khaleda clarified her party’s stance on violence.
“We don’t believe in violence-centric politics,” the 20-Party Alliance chief said.
The government has been blaming the BNP-led coalition for the deaths in arson attacks. But the BNP on the other hand is accusing the government of orchestrating those incidents.
The Supreme Court, meanwhile, has observed that those calling for agitations cannot avoid responsibilities for violence.
“It wasn’t us,” the BNP chief said. “The people know who were behind the violence.”
She claimed the government was “plotting to destroy” her party and refuted media reports about rift within BNP, saying, “There’s no such thing.”
She reiterated her demand for an election under a neutral administration.
“The people are waiting for a free and fair election, but the government is afraid of such polls (fearing defeat),” she added.
Source: bdnews24
