Khaleda announces March for Democracy for Dec 29

‘Govt holding shameful polls to prolong power’

 

Opposition leader Khaleda Zia on Tuesday announced a new type of programme – March for Democracy – for December 29 calling upon people from all walks of life to march towards Dhaka carrying the national flag to press home their demands for having an election under non-party neutral administration.

 

Addressing a crowded press conference at her Gulshan office, the BNP chairperson urged people to march towards Dhaka with a slogan, ‘Say no to one-sided election, say yes to democracy.’

 

Reminding the government that there is still a plenty of time, Khaleda Zia also demanded cancellation of the schedule of the January-5 election and urged the government to reach a consensus for inclusive and credible polls.

 

“The call for discussion on the 11th national election instead of the 10th one, is not logical. It’s unrealistic. Still, there’s time. Cancel the election schedule and reach a consensus,” she urged the government.

 

The former premier alleged that the government has adopted a disgraceful tactic to prolong its power by holding a ‘shameful election’.

 

Khaleda sharply criticised the government for not reaching any political compromise despite efforts by the international community led by the UN apart from her party’s own initiative.

 

“It’s not your right to allocate seats through a compromise…it’s people’s right to choose who will get which seat,” she said pointing finger at the Prime Minister.

 

The BNP chief also urged the government not to put the country into danger by snapping its ties with the international community.

 

Prior to the press conference, Khaleda had a meeting on the BNP-led 18-party’s 83-hour fifth spell of blockade programme.

Source: UNB Connect