Govt making BD danger zone thru senseless talks: BNP

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said government insiders are making the country a 'danger zone' through issuing senseless talks.

He made the comment at a rally outside the party's Nayapaltan central office on Friday, marking the 45th founding anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal.

"What the Russian foreign minister said carries a clear message that Bangladesh is going to be a ground for a big country's power struggle and its influence."

"The present government is fully responsible for this. They are pushing the country towards a great dangerous situation through senseless talks that are reflected in their diplomacy," added Mr Fakhrul.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, who arrived in Dhaka on Thursday evening, said the interference of outsiders in Bangladesh's internal affairs is not "acceptable."

"Every country has its own course of action and it has every right to choose its own path. Outsiders have no scope to interfere," he told a joint briefing at Hotel Intercontinental.

Bangladesh foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and state minister Shahriar Alam were present at the briefing.

Mr Fakhrul said, "Today, you (Mohila Dal) should take a vow that we'll topple the government at any cost and establish a government elected by the people. We want a free, fair and participatory election under a neutral caretaker government."

"Our message is very clear that we don't want violence and conflict. We want an election in a free, fair democratic environment," he maintained.

Mr Fakhrul said the people of the country are now coming to join their ongoing anti-government movement.

"The fall of the government is imminent and a government elected by the people will be established."

Mr Fakhrul further said that they would be able to compel the government to withdraw all false cases filed against the party's rank and file.

Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal president Afroza Abbas chaired the event, moderated by its general secretary Sultana Ahmed.

BNP leaders Selima Rahman, Helen Jerin Khan, Rasheda Begum Hira and Shammi Akhter, among others, were present at the event.

Meanwhile, the family members of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia once again appealed to the government for allowing her to go abroad for advanced medical treatment.

Begum Zia is now undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital.

Shamim Iskander, younger brother of Begum Zia, said they applied to home ministry on Tuesday, seeking permission for his sister's treatment abroad.

Begum Zia's personal physician and also BNP vice-chairman Dr AZM Jahid Hossain said her physicians were concerned about her deteriorating health conditions.

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