The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain yesterday said some alien nations want to extract their interests in Bangladesh by keeping an unelected government in power.

He feared military aggression on Bangladesh in the name of transit or corridor if given to India, saying that Poland had such experience during the World War II.

Delwar made the remarks at a discussion organised by the 4-party alliance on "Transition: Aggression Resistance Day" at National Press Club.

The BNP secretary general asked the caretaker government to stay away from any transit deal as "people would not accept it".

He also said the "government's repression on the people by keeping the state of emergency in place will be resisted".

Calling for unity among the people to resist any conspiracy against the nation, Delwar said the country's sovereignty must be protected with the spirit of the liberation war.

"There's no use of raising any demand to this government. This government is sleeping dead," he told the meeting.

The BNP leader said time would come when there would be a mass resistance and people would stand against backers and supporters of this government.

He accused the government of violating the Constitution, saying that it wants to stay in power by misleading the people.

Without naming Awami League, Delwar said those who had recognised this government as the fruit of their movement might have got some benefits but people got nothing.

On resignation of the Attorney General, he said Barrister Fida M Kamal quit the office as a conscientious lawyer as he could not carryout his duty for long under pressure.

Other government law officers are also working under pressure, otherwise they will lose their jobs, he said.

The BNP secretary general announced "human chains" and "indoor rallies" across the country on July 22 to press for release of political detainees, including BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.

He also demanded immediate release of Tarique Rahman for his medical treatment abroad.

On July 28, the alliance will observe countrywide "indoor rallies" to protest the Election Commission's various decisions and actions.

Jamaat secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid sought the UN secretary general's intervention to refrain India from pressing for transit from Bangladesh.

He alleged that New Delhi was trying to indulge in internal political affairs of Bangladesh and putting pressure on Bangladesh to sign a deal, which is against the country's independence and sovereignty.

BNP leaders Dr RA Gani, Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddique and Selima Rahman, City Jamaat ameer Rafiqul Islam Khan, IOJ secretary general Abdul Latif Nezami, BJP secretary general Shamim Al Mamun, Khelafat Majlis president Ahmed Abdul Qader also spoke on the occassion.