BNP stages walkout protesting not telecasting Khaleda's speech on BTV

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The opposition BNP Monday staged a walkout from the House protesting against not telecasting the speech of Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia Sunday night on Bangladesh Television (BTV), reports BSS.

Rising on a point of order during the 'zero hour' at the Jatiya Sangsad, opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque said the government-controlled BTV stopped telecast of Khaleda Zia's speech during the obituary reference Sunday night on the tragic killings at BDR headquarters.

Farroque said that BTV is the property of the people and it had deprived the countrymen of listening to Khaleda Zia's speech. He wanted the information minister to explain the situation.

Chief Whip Abdus Shahid said that the walkout is not justified since the BTV has been following the rules set up by the previous four-party alliance government. "Our Prime Minister did not change the rules and BTV is adhering to the principles set by the previous government," he added.

He further said that BNP might have never thought of sitting in the opposition bench in the House. He said once the BNP ridiculed that Awami League (AL) would not get more than 30 seats. "It is irony of fate that BNP now got less than those seats," he quipped.