Mujib Borsho Won’t Be Successful Keeping Khaleda in Jail: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Saturday that the ' Mujib Year ' festivities will not succeed in keeping Khaleda Zia in jail.

He also said that no single person or party can receive the credits for the freedom of the nation as the citizens of the whole world had liberated Bangladesh from Pakistan through a long war and battle.

“The government’s assertion about observing the Mujib Year with all irrespective of their opinions and parties is a mockery. Because, Khaleda Zia fought for democracy throughout her life and even she was taken to jail by the Pakistani forces in 1971 for the Liberation War,” the BNP leader said.

He also said Khaleda had fought for democracy for nine years during the autocratic rule of HM Ershad and thus established democracy. “Now, she’s been in jail only because of her efforts to restore democracy. “So, (the celebration of) Mujib Borsho won’t be successful keeping her in jail.”

After putting wreaths at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman along with the party's candidate for Dhaka-10 seat by-polls Sheik Rabiul Alam, Fakhrul came up with the comments while talking to reporters.

He said democracy was the main spirit of Bangladesh’s independence and demand for the libation was made centering democracy.

“The people of the entire country fought for a long time for independence and thus we got independence. So, an individual and a party cannot claim to get the all credits for the independence,” the BNP leader observed.

About the planned visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh to attend Mujib Year festival, marking the centenary of the founding of Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman, he said the recent religious uprisings in India had an effect on Bangladesh. "They (India) must now think how good it will be for him (Modi) to come here in a case like this."

As his attention was drawn to ruling party leaders’ remark that BNP is not serious about the election, Fakhrul said Awami League leaders are making various comments to mislead people since they have been in power without “people’s’ mandate and support’.

He said their party is participating in different elections, including Dhaka-10 by-polls, maintaining democratic principles as BNP believes in the change of power through the polls. 

“We’ve been joining polls as part of our movement to restore democracy and free Khaleda Zia. We’re also very serious about the elections. But the government tries to take the election to its favor by intimidating people and using the state machinery,” Fakhrul alleged. 

He also said their candidate, Sheik Rabiul Alam, is a very capable chief with an enormous reputation in his electorate. "We think he shows his value successfully."

The by-polls to Dhaka-10 seat will be held on March 22.

Source: UNB