Get united to save democracy: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday urged people to get united to save democracy and force the government to release ailing party chairperson Khaleda Zia and allow her to receive treatment abroad.

"Bangladesh is now passing through hard times. If we fail to save democracy and the government doesn't release and allow Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment, then the very existence of the country will be destroyed," he said while speaking at a rally.

Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal organised the rally in front of the National Press Club in the city demanding immediate release of Khaleda Zia and her treatment abroad.

Fakhrul said Khaleda Zia was fighting for her life as she had been suffering from different physical ailments. "We again call upon the government to allow Khaleda Zia for her treatment abroad. It is her fundamental right, not sympathy or humanity from anyone."

He asserted that the convicted person has also the right to receive treatment (abroad) and there was such instance in the past.

The BNP leader warned the government that the people of the country started rising to lodge their protests against the 'misrule of the government' and the government could not hold on power any longer.

He lamented that the common people don't get proper treatment in the hospitals. "The ruling Awami League does not tolerate dissident views. So, they have filed false cases against Khaleda Zia and awarded her jail sentence," he alleged.

Fakhrul claimed that Khaleda Zia started bleeding again due to her liver cirrhosis problem. She urgently needs to go either to the USA, the UK or Germany for immediate treatment as there is no treatment in the country.

Holding a free, fair and credible election is not possible under the ruling Awami League government, he said, adding that many people were killed during the ongoing union council elections which proved that a free, fair and neutral election is not possible under them (Awami League).

BNP chief Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment at city's Evercare Hospital since last month with multiple health complexities. Her doctors precisely recommended sending her abroad immediately for her treatment mainly for liver cirrhosis problems.

BNP Vice-Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, party leaders Fazlul Haque Milon, Mosharraf Hossain, president of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal Saiful Alam Nirob and its general secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, president of Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal Hasan Jabir Tuhin and its general secretary Shahidul Islam Bablu were present at the rally among others.

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