She threatens movement if call for understanding goes unheeded
Defending again her alliance’s boycott of the 10th parliament polls, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Tuesday claimed that her party could have won two-thirds majority had there been an inclusive and fair election.
“BNP and the 19-party think our decision of not joining the election was correct. People through boycotting the polls have proved that no free and fair election can be held under the current regime,” she said.
Khaleda made the remarks at a crowded press conference at a city hotel.
Replying to a question whether their decision of not participating in the polls was wrong one, the BNP chief also said they did not make any mistake by boycotting the polls. Instead, she claimed, the current ‘illegal’ regime made the mistake by holding the lopsided election against people’s will.
Khaleda said the government had shared with other participating parties before the January 5 election, while 153 candidates became MPs without people’s votes.
Stating that they were also offered a share, she said they sought a fair election not sharing seats.
Khaleda started her around 45-minute speech with showing respect to the language martyrs in the month of Language Movement.
She also greeted the Hindu Community, especially students, on the occasion of Saraswati Puja.
Disapproving the January 5 election and calling it a farce and mockery, the former premier alleged that the ruling party grabbed power and formed an illegal parliament and regime without people’s mandate.
She also accused the government of resorting to various plots and cons to prolong its autocratic regime and warned it that people of Bangladesh will not accept and tolerate the autocracy and authoritarianism for long time.
Khaleda renewed her call for taking steps for resolving the political crisis through talks.
Seemingly issuing a threat to wage a strong movement, the BNP chief said the government has no reason to think that her party will only call the government for an indefinite time to reach an understanding.
Sought her comment about a US-based organisation’s recent survey that showed Awai League could have won the polls had it been inclusive, Khaleda trashed the survey report saying it was of no value as even 5 percent voter did not turn out to cast their votes in the January 5 elections.
“We think BNP and its alliance could have come out as victorious with two-thirds majority had the election been held with the participation of all parties,” Khaleda claimed.
She, however, said they think a fair election is very important for the continuation of democracy. “But no one at home and abroad believes that a free, fair and credible election can be held under Awami League. Only fair polls are possible under a non-party neutral regime.”
Asked why they are allowing their party leaders to contest the upazila polls when they have long saying they will not go to polls under a partisan government, the former premier said anyone can participate in the local body polls as these are non-partisan in nature. “We have said BNP and the 19-party won’t join the general election by which a regime gets changed.”
Replying to a question whether they will set any deadline for a fresh national election, Khaleda said, “We’ve said the country’s people want to see a free, fair and impartial election under a non-party caretaker government. So, we think a free and fair election is needed to be held under a non-party administration as soon as possible to restore democracy.”
She criticised the government for obstructing their peaceful programmes and not allowing them to hold rallies.
Claiming that the government got unnerved on December 29 seeing the people’s enthusiasm over their programme, the 19-party leader also said a human wave could have created in the city on December 29 and the following day if the government had allowed them to stage their March for Democracy programme. “People were with us, they’re still with us and will remain with us in the future as we’re a pro-people, pro-democracy and pro-Bangladesh force.”
Apparently acknowledging the laxity in the anti-government movement, Khaleda said they are taking some time to streamline her party in the face government’s repressive acts against its leaders and activists and widespread arrest of party leaders. “But it won’t take too much time. We’ll soon announce our fresh course of action and gear up our movement to realise our demand.”
As her attention was drawn to the PM’s call to BNP to leave the company of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam for a compromise, Khaleda said it is their party decision with which party they will make alliance and with which not. “BNP won’t be run by anybody’s dictate.”
Mentioning that Awami League was once with the Jamaat, Khaleda said they had not asked them at that time to abandon the Islamist party as every party in politics has right to make alliance with any other party.
Source: UNB Connect
