BNP Chairpersons Khaleda Zia will be able to take part in the next parliamentary election even if she is convicted of ‘false’ graft charges, the party’s leader Moudud Ahmed said.
The Supreme Court lawyer’s comment came amid BNP leaders’ allegation that “the ruling Awami League is out to have Khaleda convicted in several cases to stop her from taking part in the next election.”
The trial of Khaleda in two graft cases relating to Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust is at the final stage. Many BNP leaders expressed concern as existing law bars convicts from contesting in elections.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia gestures as she appearers before Dhaka’s Third Special Judge’s Court in Old Dhaka’s Bakshibazar on Thursday to deliver her unfinished defence statement in Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.
Former law minister Moudud shed light on the plan in case of Khaleda’s conviction at a discussion at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity on Saturday.
“Suppose she is sentenced in false cases, then we will file appeal and Insha-Allah she will get bail and will be able to take part in the election directly,” he said.
“It can’t be that she remains in jail for three to seven years if she is convicted. We will apply for bail after appeal. Bail is natural after three-year jailing. But we will have to apply for bail again after some time in case of seven-year jailing,” he elaborated the plan.
Moudud also said: “She will not only be able to contest the election, but she will also be able to lead the party and the alliance. So, the chatter on the issue is irrelevant.”
The BNP leader thinks the conviction of Khaleda will raise her popularity.
He also said the ‘attempt to keep Khaleda away from polls’ will not succeed.
Source: bdnews24
