The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

BNP leaders yesterday demanded withdrawal of the Sabbir murder case against Tarique Zia terming it 'politically motivated'.

Meanwhile, the BNP has undertaken a 5-day countrywide political programme from May 11, demanding party chairperson Khaleda Zia's release and withdrawal of the cases filed against her.

The programmes include submission of memorandums to the Chief Adviser to press for their demands.

"The charge sheet (against Tarique) doesn't carry any merit… It's motivated and has been done to undermine him politically," BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hussain told reporters at his Nam apartment yesterday afternoon.

He said the government was doing all this to destroy BNP politically.

About reformist BNP leader Saifur Rahman's statement that his leadership of BNP becomes ineffective following the standing-committee members' defection, BNP leader Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah said the statement would make the process unity easier and successful.

Hannan, also adviser to the BNP chairperson, was speaking with journalists at his Mohakhali residence. He welcomed Rahman's statement saying that it was delivered at a free atmosphere before the BNP leaders and activists of Sylhet.

"Earlier, he couldn't make the right statement for different reasons," he said adding that against the backdrop of Rahman's statement the dissidents of the party would come back to the mainstream shedding all previous differences and follow the party chairperson's instructions.

Meanwhile, the party leaders, as part of their 5-day political activities, would submit memorandums to the Chief Adviser through district commissioners and UNOs.

The memorandums will also contain the demand of release of all the political detainees, including Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman, lifting the state of emergency and resumption of political activities allover the country and announcement of date for the stalled 9th parliamentary elections.

The party also demanded cancellation of the decision of delimitating the electoral constituencies, tackling the price spiraling, resolving the electricity and water crises, ensuring enough supply of fertilizers, seeds and pesticides as well as providing subsidy to the concerned sector.

Besides, the BNP has chalked out a 7-day programme commemorating the death anniversary of party founder president Shaheed Ziaur Rahman.