BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday warned that the government would have to meet the worst and dire consequences if the “peaceful” March for Democracy programme towards Dhaka on Sunday was obstructed.
“We have announced to observe the programme in a peaceful manner. I am giving you word that no chaos will take place at the programme. Despite these, if the government does not allow us to hold the programme, the consequences will be dire and tough,” she said.
The former premier issued the warning while exchanging greetings with the members of Christian community on the occasion of Christmas Day at her Gulshan office in the capital.
“[People] come and join the programme. I will also be there with you. I am telling the government ‘if you have courage, do not obstruct our programme.’” she said.
“I believe that the government will refrain from putting obstructions on my way to reach the programme on Sunday. If it puts any barricade, it will mean that the government has no venture; it is weak and isolated.”
Regarding the law enforcers position around her residence and office, Khaleda said: “Leaders were barred from enter the office. Leaders were arrested from the entrance. The same situation is prevailing at my residence. Is it democracy? This government is not a democratic government, [rather] an extreme autocratic one.” She said: “It seems that this country is not people’s country, rather it is the property of Awami League’s father. This situation cannot prevail. We have to resist it.”
The BNP chief also renewed her call to the government for giving up politics of stubbornness in the interest of holding a dialogue for inclusive and acceptable general polls under a non-party neutral administration.
“We do not want politics of confrontation but the government is indulging in the acts of sabotage by setting vehicle on fire and killing people to shift people’s attention to another direction,” she alleged.
The three-time former premier said the ruling Awami League was holding a lopsided national election ignoring public opinion. “We want inclusive and acceptable general polls held in a free, fair and impartial manner. But the ruling Awami League is planning to hang on to power through illegal means,” she alleged.
The government has to quit power by postponing schedule of the 10th parliamentary election and paving the path of dialogue “if it [Awami League] wants welfare of the state,” she said.
Terming the Election Commission “failed, spineless and incompetent,” Khaleda said it was just fulfilling the government’s purposes. “The next general election will never be held in a free and fair manner under the present EC.”
She also criticised the ruling party men for amassing huge wealth, the BNP chairperson said: “They do not want to step down from the office as they cannot check their greed.”
Source: Dhaka Tribune
