BNP: Release Khaleda for fair polls

BNP has said the government must release its chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail—in the interest of holding a fair election.

"We want to clearly say the election will not be acceptable if Khaleda Zia remains in jail," BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said—at a human chain organized by the party in front of the National Press Club on Monday.

He said the government should arrange for Khaleda’s treatment at a specialized hospital.  

Fakhrul also placed a number of demands, including: the dissolution of parliament ahead of the announcement of the polls schedule, holding the election under a neutral and non-party government, re-organising the Election Commission, and deploying the army during the election. 

Hundreds of BNP leaders, activists and supporters gather in front of the National Press Club in protest on September 10, 2018 | Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune

He said thousands of party leaders and activists are in jail for false cases filed against them.  

Fakhrul said Khaleda Zia called for national uny before going to jail and urged all parties to unite to put pressure on the government to hold a credible election. 

BNP Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Khladeda Zia has been kept in prison in a false case. 

“She is seriously ill. The government is dilly-dallying in providing her treatment.” 

Mosharraf said the BNP chief has not been released even after getting bail.

Earlier, as part of its countrywide scheduled activities, thousands of BNP leaders and activists joined the human chain—demanding Khaleda Zia's release from jail and her proper treatment.

On Wednesday, BNP is scheduled to observe a token hunger strike in Dhaka and make similar demands.