Army, admin asked to help

Khaleda calls for support in ‘saving democracy’

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday sought cooperation of the civil servants and members of the military, police and Ansar-VDP in the opposition’s movement if the government does not restore the caretaker government system by October 25.
“We will wait till October 25 for you [Sheikh Hasina] to place a bill in parliament on caretaker government. If you don’t do that, we will announce our programmes for movement,” she told a mammoth rally at the Khulna Circuit House ground.
Amid tens of thousands of cheering leaders, workers and supporters of the BNP-led 18-party alliance, Khaleda termed the civil administration officials “brothers” and urged them not to torture those joining the movement to save democracy.
“We will press on with our movement as elections under the Awami League government cannot be free and fair. And that’s why we seek cooperation of the civil administration, military, police, Ansar and VDP in our anti-government movement to protect democracy and the country,” she said.
In response to the massive showdown by party leaders all along her way to Khulna, apparently to get her blessings for the next polls, Khaleda said it was not the time to be busy with electioneering but to carry forward the anti-government movement.
“Instead of preparing for the election, you should concentrate on the movement. Take all-out preparations to force the government to concede our demand.”
“The BNP is ready for the election and we will give you instructions at a proper time,” she said in her around 50-minute speech.
Referring to the government’s bid to set up a power plant at Rampal in Bagerhat, the leader of the opposition said it will destroy the Sundarbans and its bio-diversity.
“We need electricity and power plants. But we won’t allow anyone to build a power plant at Rampal. The plant can be set up at any other suitable site,” she said.
Expressing solidarity with the movement of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, the BNP chief said, “We are with you. We are ready to work with you in the greater interest of the country. We are ready to extend all-out cooperation to you.”
Amid non-stop applause from the gathering that spread over nearly three to four square kilometres from the rally venue, she said she would in no way participate in the next polls under Sheikh Hasina.
“We will not join the polls; we will resist it and the polls won’t be held.”
Mentioning the huge gatherings of people at her rallies at Khulna, Rangpur and Rajshahi, Khaleda said, “There is still time, bring a bill in parliament to restore the caretaker government system and hold the next election in a free and fair manner.”
Khaleda unveiled her party’s mega plan to run the country if the BNP was voted to power.
“We will take up a massive plan when we form the government. We will introduce new means of doing politics and will form a new trend of government. We will do politics with unity.”
“We will develop the country on one hand and will eliminate illegal drugs on the other with the help of youths, and that’s why we need to say goodbye to the Awami League,” she told the rally.
Sounding a note of warning, the former premier said the people had awakened and the government would not be able to face the wrath of people if they took to the streets.
Khaleda also said if the government wanted to resist the people’s agitation by taking the help of any quarter, the opposition would take a position in favour of the people.
Branding the election commission worthless, spineless and subservient, Khaleda said a fair election was not possible under this election commission as they were partisan people.
“Partisans were appointed to the election commission. They have no courage to speak the truth. There are massive anomalies in the voter list. Those who can’t make a flawless voter list, how can they hold a fair election?”
The leader of the opposition also criticised a ruling party leader who had threatened to send public servants home if they did not obey the ruling party’s orders.
In this context, she said, “The government has understood that they will not be able to do anything by vote rigging and that’s why a ruling MP has threatened the government officials.
“We want to tell the government that it is not the government officials but you who will be sent back home as your time is over.”
Criticising the shipping minister, Khaleda said: “The government has taken up a plan to destroy the country’s garment sector. Why does the shipping minister talk about the sector?”
She also told the rally, “The government is planning to shut down the garment industry in the country and wants to start its operation in other countries. By doing so, the government wants to create unemployment in the country.”

Source: The Daily Star