The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

BNP leader Goyeshar Chandra Roy demanded yesterday the release of two detained former Prime Ministers Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina for the sake of parliamentary democracy in the country.

Demanding the release of two detained Prime Ministers, Goyeshar Chandra Roy said proper reformation of politics would not be achieved without the presence of the two leaders.

He also said BNP would not participate in the next general election without its chairperson Khaleda Zia.

BNP Joint General Secretary Goyeshar Chandra Roy was addressing an open discussion meeting titled "Achievement of Victory in 1971 and Release of Detained Khaleda Zia" organised by Khaleda Zia Mukti Parishad at the National Press Club Auditorium in the city.

Journalists Gias Kamal Choudhory and Ershad Majumder, Member Secretaries of the parishad Razzak Selim and Mohib Billah Atiq and Convener to Dhaka City Committee Altaf Uddin Molla, among other BNP leaders, addressed the discussion.

Khaleda Zia Mukti Parishad urged the Government to release former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia before June 2008 to hold fair, free and credible national elections.

Convener of the Parishad former MP Maj (Rtd) Akhtaruzzaman (Kishoregonj-2) called for her release at the discussion.

Criticising BNP leader Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Akhtaruzzaman said Mannan Bhuiyan was a betrayer. We -all BNP leaders and activists- were united under General Secretary Khondakar Delwar Hossain selected by Begum Khaleda Zia, he added.

Khaleda is a popular political leader. She is acceptable and trustworthy leader of a large section of the country's population, Akhter said.

One of the speakers said, "No alternative leader has yet emerged like Khaleda Zia imbued with nationalism. But now the existence of Khaleda and her party are under threat."