Yunus victim of vendetta, says Khaleda

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BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has expressed deep concern at the situation created by the government by removing Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus from the helm of Grameen Bank, report agencies. In a statement Sunday the opposition leader called upon the people of all sections irrespective of creed and colour to raise voice against the evil action of the government that tarnished the reputation and dignity of the country and its distinguished personality. Khaleda said Muhammad Yunus has been the victim of political vendetta and urged all to remain alert about its 'pernicious campaign'. "The controversy unleashed over Grameen Bank and Prof Muhammad Yunus is the manifestation of partisan and political meanness. It'll only harm the microfinance organisation, depriving the underprivileged people and women," she said. In the statement, signed by her press secretary Maruf Kamal, Khaleda said, "The government has long been involved in undermining a personality like Prof Yunus of international repute in a planned way." "I firmly believe that the matter should be kept out of politics. Controversy triggered by the government action of removing Prof Yunus as Managing Director of Grameen Bank is nothing but a naked reflection of the narrow mindedness. It will jeopardize the micro credit institution affecting the poor borrowers, especially women who used to benefit from loans given by the Grameen Bank," said the BNP chief. The government has done it in a planned manner to assassinate the character of the Nobel laureate, who is recognised across the world and highly acclaimed at home and abroad. That the action against Dr Yunus was a conspiracy to undermine him is now clear to every citizen, she added. Khaleda urged the conscious people in all spheres of life to resist such nefarious actions of the government taken out of sheer vengeance.