Lawyers' leader Zainul Abedin has expressed the hope that the government would step down before February 13 in the wake of anti-government protests by the BNP-led coalition, reports bdnews24.com.
He was speaking at a rally on the Supreme Court premises on Sunday organised by the pro-BNP lawyers' organisation Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum that is backing the shutdown.
Abedin, also an adviser to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, however, did not say what the basis of his assumption was.
The BNP-led 20-party alliance has been persisting with its blockade programme since January 5 to press for snap polls. The party is also calling shutdowns to bolster the agitation.
Several top party leaders have been arrested for their alleged links with blockade-related violence. The other leaders are not appearing in public.
Former president of Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association Abedin said, "This illegal government will step down before February 13 on people's demand during the ongoing protest."
Before him, Khaleda's adviser former Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Emajuddin Ahamed, too, had said in November last year that there would be change in power by March-April this year.
Ruling Awami League has so far paid no heed to the BNP's demand of snap polls under a 'neutral' body.
In the pro-BNP lawyers' rally, its president and BNP Standing Committee Member Rafiqul Islam Mia said, "Khaleda Zia has called for the protest. It will continue until the government steps down."
He reacted over the power cut at the BNP chief's office, where she is staying now.
"The government has plotted to kill her. No High Court judge appeared to issue a rule on the matter voluntarily.
"The minister, who threatened to bar food supply to (Khaleda Zia's) house, had threatened me in a talk show to gouge my eyes out," Mia said. Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan issued the threat.
Govt will fall by Feb 13, says pro-BNP lawyer
FE Team | Published: February 02, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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