Throw away guns, sit in talks: Khaleda to govt

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has urged the government to engage in a meaningful dialogue throwing away guns for holding a free and fair fresh national election. “It’s pointless to intimidate people. They (people) want a fair and neutral election under a non-party administration. So, sit in talks throwing away guns. The consequences will be dire if you (govt) think you’ll be able to cling to power by killing people with arms,” she said while addressing a function at her political office at Gulshan in the city marking the joining of a group Thakurgaon district Jatiya Party leaders and activists to BNP. Khaleda also asked the government to arrange a fresh general election immediately quitting power. Or else, she warned, they will ensure its fall through a vigorous movement. The former prime minister also announced that she will tour different districts after the March 31 upazila polls as part of the BNP-led 19-party alliance’s movement strategy to drum up public support. Over 50 Jatiya Party men, led by Thakurgaon district Jatiya Party general secretary Sultan Ferdous Namrul Chowdhury, joined BNP at the function presenting Khaleda a bouquet, according to UNB.