Nothing to be happy about in rigged win: Khaleda

01-8

Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia on Friday said the ruling Awami League had no reason to be happy about its win in the municipal polls by vote rigging.
Addressing a student rally organised by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the capital, she said that once again it was proved that ‘Hasina-Rakib style’ elections would never be free and fair.
She said that people did not accept the results of the municipal polls held on December 30, 2015.
She said that the law enforcers and presiding officers were used as the ruling party activists for the victory of the AL candidates under pressure and in fear of losing their jobs.
Khlaeda, also former prime minister, said despite  repeated demand by BNP for deployment of army, the ‘worthless’ and ‘spineless’ Election Commission did not deploy army in the municipal polls.
She said that fair and neutral election would take place in future and people would cast their vote in the right place applying their judgement.
She alleged that now there was no democracy in the country and monarchy was established as the country was being run by the desire of an individual.
She said that democracy would again and again be interrupted if the state institutions did not work independently.
Khaleda said that her party did not see any development except few flyovers in the capital in exchange for huge commission.
She said that there was no development in rural areas and that was why people were rushing to Dhaka city for jobs.
During her about an hour speech, Khaleda said that there was no atmosphere of education in any university including the Dhaka University.
She alleged that ruling AL-backed student organisation Chhatra League and outsiders equipped with firearms occupied dormitories at most of the universities driving out other student organisations including Chhatra Dal.
She urged Chhatra Dal leaders and activists to stage demonstrations in protest against assaulting teachers by Chhatra League men and to gain support of general students.
She said that the ruling party wanted to destroy all institutions and if Chhatra Dal did not raise voice, the country would be destroyed.
The BNP chief suggested Chhatra Dal activists to be disciplined and enrich knowledge without chanting slogans in programmes like discussions.
She told them not to chant traditional slogans but raise voice and make leaflet on many other current national issues and distribute them among people.
The BNP chairperson asked Chhatra Dal activists to prepare for restoring democracy saying it would not be wise to ask the ‘illegal government’ for the release of their leaders and activists and withdrawal of false cases.
Chhatra Dal president Rajib Ahsan is now in jail.
About Chhatra Dal committees, Khaleda said that contribution of everybody would be evaluated and genuine students would be brought in leadership.
Chhatra Dal organised the rally marking its 37th founding anniversary.
Presided over by acting Chhatra Dal president Mamunur Rashid Mamun, the function was addressed, among others, by BNP leaders Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Fazlul Huq Milion, Asaduzzaman Ripon, Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Shirin Sultana and Chhatra Dal leaders Akramul Hasan, Ejmal Hossain Pilot and Masud Khan Pervez.
Source: New Age