Khaleda seeks election, urges all to be united

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia urged all to get united putting behind all the differences of opinion and misunderstanding to build the country in light of the Liberation War spirit through holding a free, fair and inclusive election. “A credible and inclusive election must be held. Those who will win it will form the government. We don’t want any division and conflict. We want to work together with all to build the nation through holding a fair election,” she said. Speaking at an iftar party Monday, the BNP chief further said, “We’ll be able to show honour to the sacrifices of three million martyrs and materialise the Liberation War spirit if we can get united for the country’s betterment.”

Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) arranged the iftar party at a city hotel. Describing the current government as an unelected one, Khaleda said women are being repressed and harassed under its rule. “Even they (women) are being insulted in Parliament.”

She criticised Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad for his comment that women are showpieces, “Nearly half of the total population are women. But a responsible person told parliament that women are showpieces, hapless.” Khaleda questioned those who cannot respect women how will they run the country and ensure democracy. “We’d liberated the country to establish democracy and people’s basic rights, but now we’re far away from that goal.” Addressing the programme, BDB chief and former President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury urged the nationalist forces to be united. “We must go forward putting aside all misunderstandings and divisions among us,” according to a news agency.