Detained BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on Tuesday called for holding parliamentary elections first, saying that the caretaker government (CG) has no mandate to hold local government polls, reports UNB.
"Why the caretaker government is bent on holding local body polls when all the big parties are demanding the national election first?" she said responding to questions from journalists after appearing in the GATCO case trial at a special court at the parliament complex building.
Khaleda said: "We also want local body elections, but these elections must be held under an elected government."
Asked if her BNP would boycott the announced city corporation and municipality elections, the BNP chief said she would own the decision to be taken by the 4-party alliance.
Sensing conspiracy behind the move for local body elections, she alleged that the government with an ill-intent plans to hold a mock election to induct its chosen people in power.
About the illness of her sons Tarique and Koko, Khaleda said their health conditions are gradually deteriorating day by day. She held the government responsible for their bad physical condition in custody.
On anti-corruption campaign, the former Prime Minister said although the current caretaker government assumed power with a promise to curb the corruption, but as a fact the rate of corruption has increased.
"Increasing corruption is eating up the vitals of the country. This government should immediately quit power." Khaleda, who was elected Prime Minister twice, said the incumbent government could not do anything good, rather caused sufferings to all.
"Today, economy is crippled. Trade and commerce stand still. The country has been thrown back 20 years," she said painting a gloomy picture of the national economy.
Khaleda said that during her rule people had work and earned money as development works were there. People having no work are now spending their savings, but those savings are also exhausted.
She said: "People are battered by soaring prices. Earlier, business syndicate was blamed for it. Now who are behind such syndicate? The present government is doing the syndicate."
The BNP chairperson said: "People are starving. A famine-like situation prevails in the country." Only an elected government can salvage the country from such a predicament, she added.
On rift in BNP, she said there is no chasm in her party, and expressed gratitude to BNP grassroots leaders and workers for advancing the party facing all odds and repression.
