The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

BNP leader Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah Monday questioned the morality of the government in detaining 4-party alliance leader Khaleda Zia while freeing Awami League president Sheikh Hasina with all privileges and protocols.

"On which moral ground have you kept our leader Begum Khaleda Zia detained?" he asked the government at a discussion on Palasey Day at the National Press Club.

Shah, also adviser to the BNP chairperson, said no individual filed any case against Khaleda Zia but it is the government that filed cases against her.

On the contrary, he said individuals filed bribery cases against the leader (Hasina) of another party.

Nevertheless, he said the leader (Hasina) was released and even the Bangladesh High Commissioner and the Ambassador received her at London Heathrow and Boston airports.

Ridiculing the perceived understanding between Awami League and the caretaker government, Shah said receiving favour from the government that party is now saying that the present government is the fruit of their movement.

"Begum Zia is still kept detained because of this entente," he told the discussion.

The BNP leader alleged that Begum Zia's two sons are being pushed towards death by not allowing their proper treatment abroad.

Shah advised the caretaker government not to consider people as their counterpart and transfer power to an elected government by holding elections reflecting the sentiment of the people.

Arranged by Chirantan Bangladesh, the discussion was addressed, among others, by former Justice Abdur Rouf. Its president Dr Mustafizur Rahman Iran chaired the discussion.