Staff Reporter
The BNP swore to take part in the coming national polls freeing its Chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail constitutionally.
They took the oath on Wednesday at 1 pm conducting the token hunger strike. The programme was nationwide in demand of Khaleda Zia’s release.
The programme was centrally observed in front of Jatiya Press Club.
Senior leaders said that the police compelled them to end the programme by 1 pm instead of 4 pm.
A huge number of leaders and activists joined the programme and chanted slogans demanding their leader Khaleda Zia’s unconditional release.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir instructed the party men to continue movement for the release of Khaleda Zia from jail soon.
He said, “The government should release Khaleda Zia soon.”
Dr. Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain said, “It should not be possible to hold election keeping Khaleda Zia in jail.”
Barrister Moudud Ahmed said, “We do not agree with the judgment awarded to Khaleda Zia in a false case.”
Mirza Abbas said, “The police have asked us to conclude this programme three hours before the scheduled time. There are no fundamental rights in our country which you gained by winning through Liberation War.”
He also asked the party Secretary General to file cases against those who were responsible to keep Khaleda Zia jail for four days without giving her division.
Several hundred leaders and activists, including party standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Central leader Ataur Rahman Dhali, Abdus Salam, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel, Fazlul Haque Milon, Salahuddin Ahmed, Bazlul Basit Anju of Dhaka City, Kazi Abul Bashar, Afroza Abbas of Women, Sultana Ahmed, Jubo Dal’s Saiful Alam Nirob, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Moratajul Karim Badru and swhechhasebok Dal’s Shafiul Bari Babu, among others, joined the programme.
Several leaders from the BNP-led 20 party alliance also joined.
The token hunger strike was the last day programme of three-day agitations of the party for immediate unconditional release of Khaleda and cancellation of sentence against her elder son Tarique Rahman who is staying in London now.
Previously, following the imprisonment of Khaleda Zia, last Thursday, BNP carried out a series of protest programme on the streets.
