BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday accused the government of plotting to end the life of Begum Khaleda Zia by not allowing her to receive advanced treatment abroad.
Speaking at a discussion, he said they will come up with more action programmes after observing a mass-hunger strike on Saturday across the country to mount pressure on the government to permit their party chairperson Khaleda to go any advanced centre outside the country.
“They (govt) are now conspiring to end the life of Begum Khaleda Zia after completely removing her from politics. That's why they don't want to give her a scope to receive treatment abroad,” the BNP leader said.
A faction of the National People’s Party (NPP), one of the components of the 20-party alliance, arranged the discussion at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), marking its 14th founding anniversary.
Fakhrul slammed Law Minister Anisul Huq for his comment that there is no scope to accept the application of Khaleda’s family seeking permission to send her abroad. “It’s a blatant lie.”
He said the government has the authority to allow the BNP chief to go abroad as per section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedure (CrPC). “Even, the government can completely remit her sentences if it wants.”
BNP’s hunger strike at Nayapaltan
As part of their countrywide programme, Fakhrul said they will observe a seven-hour mass-hunger strike in front of their Nayapaltan central office from 9am on Saturday.
He said they tried to hold the programme in any other venue, but they did not get permission.
Fakhrul said the programme will be observed in all other metropolitan cities and district towns from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
The BNP leader hoped that democratic political parties, including the 20-party alliance partners, will express solidarity with BNP by joining the hunger strike programme. “We urge them to come to our central office. Let's strengthen the movement so that our leader gets the opportunity to get treatment abroad. From there, we will announce more programmes.”
He said it is not possible to remove the current ‘monstrous’ government without a united mass movement.
Fakhrul urged the political parties to get united to launch a simultaneous movement to ‘restore democracy. “Let’s work together and wage a movement for the release of Begum Khaleda Zia and protect the country and its people from the hand of the current regime. It’s true that the future generations will never forgive us if we fail to do so."
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on 13 November, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.
They also said she is now suffering from critical cardiac, kidney problems while her blood sugar is out of control and hemoglobin level in her blood has dropped.
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on 11 November urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
