Quit first to get blockade called off: BNP to govt

BNP senior leader Hafizuddin Ahmed said on Friday the 20-party would consider calling off their ongoing countrywide non-stop transport blockade only, when the government quits and announces the schedule for a midterm election, reports UNB.

Addressing a press conference at his Banani residence, he also demanded that the government explain whether BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was arrested or not as all communication connections to her Gulshan office, where she had been staying since January 3, had been disconnected.

"We the party leaders can't contact Khaleda at her office where phone, fax and internet connections remain cut off. Besides, police opened a register book in front of her office from (Thursday) evening. No leader is allowed to meet her. So we want to know from the government whether she is arrested, besieged or not."

Hafiz, a BNP vice chairman, talked about the current political crisis, arrest of the opposition leaders and activists and violence at the press conference, the first one in public arranged by any BNP leader since January 5.