Nasim: Khaleda's lawyers will increase her jail time

Health Minister Mohammad Nasim has advised BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia not to listen to her lawyers. Speaking in a thanksgiving motion on the president's speech at the parliament on Monday, he said: "Your lawyers have so far caused you to be evicted from your home and kept out of parliament. Do not listen to them, or you will remain incarcerated for years." "None of us want her to remain imprisoned. She has gone to jail because of the court, and through the same process she shall return," he added. In response to Barrister Moudud Ahmed's statement following Khaleda's imprisonment, Nasim said: "Mr Moudud Ahmed has said that they are acquiring a million votes a day because of her incarceration. If that is the case, why are they going to court every day to appeal for her bail? "If she remains in jail, your votes will increase past 300 million," he quipped. Asking BNP to prepare for the elections, the veteran Awami League leader said: "We want everyone to be on the playing field. The government has a great record and we are not afraid to play. Every party is welcome to join the fray. Do not commit fouls; play fair and try to win." Referring to the 11th National Parliamentary Election, the Health Minister said: "We do not want the upcoming elections to be a one-sided affair like the last time. We want a proper, constitutional election process that everyone will attend. If there are discrepancies, there will be uncertainty followed by a possible power vacuum." He said that a conspiracy was afoot to ensure that a political government does not rule the country. People may decide to give Sheikh Hasina's government an extension for the sake of the wellbeing of the country, JaSaD's Moin Uddin Khan Badal said. "The people of the country are with us. If we are humble in our approach to the people, they will re-elect us." "We are about to achieve what no one but Jawaharlal Nehru has been able to in the subcontinent - remain in office for three consecutive terms," he continued. Urging the government to stay alert regarding Myanmar, Badal said: "Despite our attempts, it will be difficult to remain on friendly terms with them in the future. We have to be wary and watchful of them. They constantly go back on their words."