Move to erase Zia's name worsens atmosphere for return to parliament by BNP: Delwar

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BNP secretary general Khondkar Delwar Hossain and other party leaders offering Fateha at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman's mazar Sunday with DAB secretary general AZM Zahid who was released from jail on the day. — FocusBangla Photo

BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain Sunday said that the atmosphere to join parliament by BNP had worsened further with the government's move to erase late President Ziaur Rahman's name from Zia International Airport.
"There was no environment to join parliament earlier and now it has deteriorated further following the government's move to erase Ziaur Rahman's name from Zia International Airport," he told a press briefing at the party's office in the city, reports UNB.
Delwar said BNP wants to return to parliament, but the government would have to create an environment to make it effective.
He also urged the government to withdraw the "false" cases filed against the BNP leadership.
Referring to the government's various failures, repressive actions against opposition and its undemocratic behaviour, Delwar warned that BNP would not be sitting idle as the new leadership has emerged through its just-concluded fifth national council.
He said BNP would announce programmes to resist the government's "undemocratic behaviour and steps".
The fourth session of the ninth parliament will begin on January 4.
BNP has long been abstaining from parliament. It even didn't join the budget session (second session) and the third session. The party had joined parliament for a few days in the first session of the new parliament and boycotted it particularly demanding increased seats in the front row of the House.
The BNP secretary general asked the government to refrain from carrying out any malicious campaign against Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman and taking any steps against the party.