Motia demands constitutional rights for Hasina

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Awami League (AL) presidium member Motia Chowdhury has criticised "restriction" on free movement of AL president Sheikh Hasina and asked the government to ensure democratic and constitutional rights for her, reports UNB.
Talking to reporters outside Bangabandhu Memorial Museum Thursday, Motia, who was barred from entering the museum where Hasina was staying, questioned why party leaders and workers were not allowed to meet her even in limited numbers every day? Referring to "security hazard" as mentioned by the inspector general of police (IGP), she questioned how Hasina's security would be threatened if one or two leaders meet her at Sudha Sadan or at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.
Motia, who is vocal against the process of reform proposals made by some senior party leaders, said former Prime Minister Hasina must be allowed to exercise her democratic, civic and constitutional rights.
The AL presidium member was critical of Law and Information Adviser Mainul Hosein for describing Hasina and Khaleda as "failed leaders" and his call for boycotting them.
She said Mainul, being an Adviser of non-party caretaker government, cannot say who is failed or successful and he lost neutrality through his remarks.
Motia further said Mainul also breached his oath of office when on one hand he said he cannot ask Jamaat to go for reforms and on the other supports exclusion of Khaleda and Hasina as a condition to resume indoor politics. "In last six months, Mainul exposed his mindset and loyalty," she said.
Replying to a question, Motia said cases were filed against Hasina with "ill motive" as she said one case was filed when she criticised the delay in preparing voter's list while another on her return from abroad when she spoke for the people and democracy.
Interestingly, those who filed the cases against Hasina remained missing for several days prior to the filing of cases, she said.
The AL leader said: "If any case is filed transparently, a law-abiding citizen will have no objection. But if it's done with a pre-meditated and presupposed idea, then it will be described as politically motivated."