Delwar warns of tough programme unless Khaleda released
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
As a 72-hour ultimatum for release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia ends today (Wednesday), the party's secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain stuck to his announcement, saying that a tough action programme would be declared if she is not freed by the deadline, reports UNB.
'We still stick to our ultimatum. We are waiting and hoping that the government would free her. Otherwise, we will realise our demand through the next action programme,' he told reporters after a meeting with the British High Commissioner in Dhaka Stephen Evans at his NAM apartment.
When his comments were sought on the matter that the ultimatum delayed the process of Khaleda's release, Delwar said those who are saying so are 'the government's men.'
The BNP secretary general once again opposed the general election under the state of emergency. He said if BNP had participated in the local-body elections on August 4 under the emergency, the government would have found a pretext to convince them to join the national elections under the emergency, too.
Delwar told the British envoy that BNP is a pro-election party and assumed power thrice through taking part in the past parliamentary polls.
He said the government's dillydallying tactics regarding the release of Begum Zia and sending Tarique abroad for treatment is not acceptable to the people.
BNP senior leaders Dr RA Gani, Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqui, Sarwari Rahman, MK Anwar, Nazrul Islam Khan and Rizvi Ahmed were present.
'We still stick to our ultimatum. We are waiting and hoping that the government would free her. Otherwise, we will realise our demand through the next action programme,' he told reporters after a meeting with the British High Commissioner in Dhaka Stephen Evans at his NAM apartment.
When his comments were sought on the matter that the ultimatum delayed the process of Khaleda's release, Delwar said those who are saying so are 'the government's men.'
The BNP secretary general once again opposed the general election under the state of emergency. He said if BNP had participated in the local-body elections on August 4 under the emergency, the government would have found a pretext to convince them to join the national elections under the emergency, too.
Delwar told the British envoy that BNP is a pro-election party and assumed power thrice through taking part in the past parliamentary polls.
He said the government's dillydallying tactics regarding the release of Begum Zia and sending Tarique abroad for treatment is not acceptable to the people.
BNP senior leaders Dr RA Gani, Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqui, Sarwari Rahman, MK Anwar, Nazrul Islam Khan and Rizvi Ahmed were present.