UNB, Natore :Likening the government to Hitler and devil, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Saturday urged the country’s people to get united once again under her leadership to restore democracy, voting right and established a pro-people administration.Addressing a mammoth public rally in Natore, she also said she does not have any desire to be Prime Minister again as she only wants to work for people’s welfare.”I don’t have any desire to become Prime Minister. I’m on a movement to save the country, its people and restore their voting and democratic rights. So, at the last stage of my life, I urge you all to get united to oust the current illegal undemocratic and unconstitutional regime,” Khaleda told her audience.The local unit of the BNP-led 20-led 20-party alliance arranged the rally at Nawab Siraj Ud Doula College grounds in the district town.Criticising the government for its ‘growing repressive acts’, Khaleda said, “Many call them autocratic but I want to say a new Hitler has emerged here and it’s killing people and making them disappear in Hitler-style and running the country whimsically. We all must get united to unseat this Hitler and devil regime.”The BNP chief said, it is not only the responsibility of political parties to take to the streets to restore democracy and establish a pro-people government but also people’s moral responsibility to join them on the streets in the interest of the country. Khaleda continued, “Take all-out preparations so that whenever I call for a decisive movement, you can respond to it immediately from anywhere. I don’t want to tell now when to take to the street. I’ll come up with the call in due time.”Mentioning that the prime minister could not achieve anything from her tour of the United Arab Emirates, Khaleda said this government has become worried as it has got isolated both from people of the country and foreign countries.She claimed that they would be able to open manpower market in the Middle East, including the UAE, for Bangladeshi workers whenever her party assumes office.Reacting to the Prime Minister’s remarks that BNP has lost ground from beneath its feet, Khaleda said this massive public gathering has proved BNP is in a strong position. “I want to tell the government, don’t let loose your hooligans and stop firing on people by police. If so, we’ll show you with whom people are.”The former Prime Minister reiterated her demand for holding a fresh election under a non-party administration. “We want a free, fair, credible and inclusive election under a non-party administration. No election can be fair under Awami League.”In her 55-minute speech, Khaleda harshly slammed the government for what she said indulging in corruption, extortion, plundering public money, failure to maintain law and order and ensure utility services, attract foreign investment and, destroying the banking sector, capital market, garment sectors and education sector.The BNP chief alleged that the government is holding office only depending on repressive acts, and filing “false” cases and repressing and harassing opposition leaders and activists.She also alleged that the government is trying to snatch opposition’s right to express by gagging the media and imposing its control on journalists.Khaleda accused the government of destroying the Amar Desh newspaper by setting fire to BSEC building on Friday. Terming the government ‘devil like one’, she said they are killing people and sucking their blood.Referring to a minister’s recent allegation that even now women are not safe in police custody and Detective Branch of police are now indulging in “contract” killings, the BNP chief held the government responsible for having done misdeeds by the law enforcers. “This government is in power illegally using police, Rab and DB police.”The BNP chief regretted that 14 people were killed in Natore during the anti-government movement before the January-5 election.Consoling the bereaved family members, Khaleda said, “Don’t shed tears anymore. It’s time to wake up and put up a strong resistance. We won’t tolerate repression and oppression anymore.”This was Khaleda’s 7th district tour after the January-5 election boycotted by the BNP-led opposition alliance.Jamaat threat Addressing the rally, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Mujibur Rahman alleged that the government is plotting to destroy their leadership in a bid to destroy the party.Apparently, hinting at International Crimes Tribunal’s preparation for delivering its verdict on Jamaat leader Mir Kashem Ali’s war crime case, the Jamaat leader threatened they will enforce non-stop hartal if any ‘farcical’ verdict is given further against their leaders.He also claimed that their ex-ameer Ghulam Azam died due to repression in the custody.
