Ex-JCD leaders demand Khaleda, Hasina's release
Sunday, 16 March 2008
The leaders of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) of the 80s have demanded release of all political prisoners, including two former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina.
Presenting a five-point demand at a press conference in the city Saturday, they also demanded resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), withdrawal of the State of Emergency, stopping the use of a certain quarter to split political parties and establishing an independent judicial system by removing government pressure from higher courts.
Former JCD leader and currently BNP central committee member Khandaker Babul Chowdhury raised the demands, reports UNB.
About 100 former JCD leaders, including former-senior vice-president Ferdous Ahmed Khokon, former acting president SM Kamal Uddin Chowdhury, former joint secretary Saberul Huq Sabu and former office secretary Sarwar Azam Khan and Swapan Chowdhury, were present.
In a written statement, Babul said the country was being pushed towards darkness through domestic and international conspiracies.
He also alleged that the caretaker government and a special quarter were busy in splitting the BNP.
He, however, said as conspiracy against BNP was not successful in the past it would not be successful in the future too.
Chowdhury said Khaleda Zia was the life force of the BNP and millions of BNP leaders and activists had absolute trust and confidence in her.
He further alleged that the present Election Commission was trying to hold an election under a blueprint by keeping BNP aloof from the election process.
He said people would not accept any stage-managed election under the incumbent commission as they did not accept any election of blueprint in the past.
Chowdhury mentioned that participation of the two leaders - Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina-was essential to make the future election credible.
If the government wanted to hold a credible election, the two leaders must be released. Otherwise, people would not accept any election without Khaleda and Hasina, he said.
He criticised the government for keeping Khaleda Zia and her two sons behind bars for nearly seven months. He said the government had failed to frame any charge against Khaleda Zia.
Chowdhury supported the anti-corruption drive but called for halting elimination of politics in the name of curbing corruption.
Presenting a five-point demand at a press conference in the city Saturday, they also demanded resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), withdrawal of the State of Emergency, stopping the use of a certain quarter to split political parties and establishing an independent judicial system by removing government pressure from higher courts.
Former JCD leader and currently BNP central committee member Khandaker Babul Chowdhury raised the demands, reports UNB.
About 100 former JCD leaders, including former-senior vice-president Ferdous Ahmed Khokon, former acting president SM Kamal Uddin Chowdhury, former joint secretary Saberul Huq Sabu and former office secretary Sarwar Azam Khan and Swapan Chowdhury, were present.
In a written statement, Babul said the country was being pushed towards darkness through domestic and international conspiracies.
He also alleged that the caretaker government and a special quarter were busy in splitting the BNP.
He, however, said as conspiracy against BNP was not successful in the past it would not be successful in the future too.
Chowdhury said Khaleda Zia was the life force of the BNP and millions of BNP leaders and activists had absolute trust and confidence in her.
He further alleged that the present Election Commission was trying to hold an election under a blueprint by keeping BNP aloof from the election process.
He said people would not accept any stage-managed election under the incumbent commission as they did not accept any election of blueprint in the past.
Chowdhury mentioned that participation of the two leaders - Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina-was essential to make the future election credible.
If the government wanted to hold a credible election, the two leaders must be released. Otherwise, people would not accept any election without Khaleda and Hasina, he said.
He criticised the government for keeping Khaleda Zia and her two sons behind bars for nearly seven months. He said the government had failed to frame any charge against Khaleda Zia.
Chowdhury supported the anti-corruption drive but called for halting elimination of politics in the name of curbing corruption.