No election without Khaleda, says BNP

Shrugging off Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader's remark that BNP will go to polls keeping Khaleda in jail, BNP said on Sunday no election will be held in the country without her participation, reports UNB.

Speaking at a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said Quader sometimes talks in such a way as if he is a BNP policymaker on one hand and Awami League general secretary on the other.

"Where did you (Quader) get the information that BNP will go to the polls keeping Khaleda Zia in jail? We would like to say no election will be held without her participation as she is the part and parcel of BNP and the only source of inspiration of its leaders and activists," he said.

The BNP leader also said the country's people will not allow anyone to hold the polls without her as Khaleda is now 'another Bangladesh' despite her imprisonment. "People will foil all the plots to hold the polls keeping her in jail through conviction in cases."

Criticising the government for what he said not providing the certified copy of the verdict against Khaleda Zia, Rizvi said the government is resorting to various tricks to obstruct the BNP Chief from getting bail. "The copy of the verdict was also not given today (Sunday). It's not provided as the Prime Minister didn't give any directive in this regard."

He alleged that police intercepted their party men in some districts to observe their peaceful programme like submitting memorandum to deputy commissioners today demanding Khaleda's release.

Referring to Home Minister's Saturday's remark that police are not obstructing BNP's peaceful programmes, Rizvi said a responsible minister's comment should have reflection on action.