The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The JCD leaders of the 80s Saturday demanded release of all political prisoners, including two ex-Prime Ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina.

Presenting a 5-point demand at a press conference at the National Press Club, they also demanded resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, withdrawal of the state of emergency, stopping the use of a certain quarter to split political parties and establishing an independent judicial system by removing government pressure from higher courts.

Former JCD leader and currently BNP central committee member Khandaker Babul Chowdhury raised the demands. Nearly 100 former JCD leaders, including ex-senior vice-president Ferdous Ahmed Khokon, former acting president SM Kamal Uddin Chowdhury, former joint secretary Saberul Huq Sabu and former office secretary Sarwar Azam Khan and Swapan Chowdhury, were present.

In a written statement, Babul Chowdhury said the country is being pushed towards darkness through domestic and international conspiracies. He alleged the caretaker government and a special quarter are busy breaking BNP.

He, however, said as conspiracy against BNP was not successful in the past, it will not be successful in the future too.

Chowdhury said Begum Khaleda Zia is the life force of BNP and millions of BNP workers have complete trust and confidence in her. He alleged the present Election Commission is trying to hold an election of blueprint by keeping BNP aloof from the election process. He said people would not accept any stage-managed election under the incumbent commission as they did not accept any election of blueprint in the past.

Chowdhury said participation of the two leaders - Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina-is essential to make the future election credible. If the government wants to hold a credible election, the two leaders must be released. Otherwise, people will not accept any election without Khaleda and Hasina.

He criticised the government for keeping Khaleda Zia and her two sons behind the bars for nearly seven months. He said the government has failed to frame any charge against Begum Zia.

Chowdhury supported the anti-corruption drive but called for halting elimination of politics in the name of curbing corruption. He said although many BNP leaders were arrested on charges of corruption but former LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan whose ministry was the champion of corruption remains out of touch.