Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia on Saturday night said her party remains firm on its ‘small’ demand for holding general elections under a neutral government to restore democracy.
Khaleda made the remarks when briefly addressing a function at her Gulshan office around 10:15 pm.
Founding general secretary of Chhatra Moitree, Ataur Rahman Dhali, also former general secretary of Jatiya Chhatra Dal, and Rajshahi University unit former general secretary of Chhatra Moitree, Zohurul Islam Babu formally joined BNP and swore their allegiance to the leadership of Khaleda Zia by presenting her with bouquets.
Vice-president of Bhasani Smriti Sangsad, Nancy Rahman, daughter of former senior minister, late Mashiur Rahman, also joined BNP through presenting a bouquet to Khaleda.
Khaleda said fair elections cannot be held under Awami League and ‘Hasina’.
She said elections would have to be held under a neutral government after the incumbents quit power.
Welcoming the newcomers to her party, she said their decision to join would help to save the country, restore democracy and establish rule of law.
‘We forget who is left or right. We want to bring back democracy,’ she said at the function.
Khaleda said those who joined BNP at a critical time had proven that they are patriotic people. The party would be further inspired at their gesture and would seek their advice in restoring democracy through the democratic process, she said.
The BNP chairperson came down hard on the government for arresting senior journalist Shafik Rehman.
She said a conspiracy has been hatched to cripple the country by voiding the nation of talent, to cling to power.
Ataur Rahman Dhali said he would carry out the instructions of Khaleda Zia even if it cost him his blood.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and economic affairs secretary Abdus Salam also addressed the programme.
Source: New Age