BNP leaders express their shock as govt disallow party chief to visit Zia's mazar

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Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) senior leaders led by its Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan placing a wreath at the mazar of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in the city Saturday on the occasion of the BNP's 29th founding anniversary. — FE Photo

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) senior leaders expressed their shock and wonder as the government did not allow party Chairperson Khaleda Zia to visit slain President Zia's mazar and offer fateha on the occasion of BNP's founding anniversary Saturday.
"This is an unfortunate event", BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan told journalists at the mazar compound in the city Saturday, reports UNB.
BNP Chairperson's Adviser ASM Hannan Shah said every leader and worker of the party had expected that Khaleda Zia would come and place wreath and offer fateha at the mazar of President Ziaur Rahman.
She was also ready to come, but the government did not allow her on security reason despite negotiations at different levels of the government Friday night, he said.
However, he said BNP senior leaders placed wreaths by reposing all trust in the leadership of Khaleda Zia.
BNP standing committee member MK Anwar said BNP, established under the leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman 29 years ago, has now become the largest political party.
During this long period, he said, BNP had made contribution to the over all development that the country achieved today.
Anwar said BNP leaders and workers must remain united to overcome all odds as they did in the past.
He said BNP should support present reforms being undertaken by the government to establish corruption-free politics.
He admitted that BNP perhaps made some mistakes in its onward journey.
"We are making self-criticism for our mistakes so we can move forward by learning from our past wrongs", the former minister said.
BNP Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan said there was no case against Khaleda Zia, she had not been arrested and she was in good health.
But she was not allowed to visit the mazar.
"This is painful for us", Khan said. He said the BNP secretary general, members of the standing committee, vice-chairmen and advisers of the party unitedly placed the wreath on behalf of Khaleda Zia.