The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Launching a counter offensive former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday said the caretaker regime bents on creating a pre-January 11 situation by holding local body polls defying big parties' opinion.

"And by doing so, the caretaker plans to form another party by its handpicked people, get them elected and wants to sit in power," she told reporters at a special court where she attended in connection with Niko graft case.

Calling for immediate lifting of the state of emergency, Khaleda, chairperson of BNP, said parliament elections must be held within October.

"We want to participate in parliament election, but the government must create the enabling environment and prove its neutrality," she said.

Begum Zia said in the past elections to parliament were held several times under the caretaker government without the emergency. The incumbent will also have to lift the emergency and hold the elections.

She said BNP wants other elections too but those elections (local body) will be held after the parliament elections.

Khaleda said the parties who had representations in past parliaments and those who had not raised an identical demand for holding the parliament elections first. But the caretaker is insisting on local elections ignoring the major political parties.

Demanding overseas treatment of all detained ailing politicians including Awami League Mohammad Nasim who got treatment outside the country earlier, the BNP chief said "to me all men are equal, all politicians are equal."

Khaleda also deplored the present situation where she said people are not getting food and struggling for survival. She said to overcome this situation, the elections must be held in October as an elected government can only salvage this situation.