The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

BNP secretary general Khandoker Delwar Hossain yesterday said only his party chief Begum Khaleda Zia could give legitimacy to the Caretaker Government's activities, as she was a democratic leader.

Delwar was addressing a four-party alliance rally organised at the city's Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh to materialise its three-point demand including unconditional release of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and her eldest son Tarique Rahman, withdrawal of all political cases filed against the alliance leaders and their release.

He said the government could not get legitimacy keeping Khaleda Zia under detention.

Khandoker Delwar demanded resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and termed him a controversial man, saying no fair election could be held under him.

"If he (CEC) had a sense of self esteem and respect for the laws, he would have resigned earlier," Delwar said.

He alleged that the Election Commission was also involved in the conspiracy hatched by the government and was working to fulfil the agenda of the government.

He said the government was trying to strengthen its base of power through state terrorism.

Quoting the Chief Adviser that it was not yet time to lift the state of the emergency Delwar asked the government when would the time come to lift the state of emergency.

Criticising Awami League (AL), Delwar said the party was also being involved in the government conspiracy, terming it London conspiracy.

Pointing at the AL threat to boycott the Upazila election, he urged the AL to keep its words and added that the party did not keep its words many times in the past.

Jamaat-e Islami secretary general Ali Ahsan Mojaheed said the caretaker government will be able to hold the national election in due time, if they would take help of Begum Zia abandoning the Awami League.

He claimed Khaleda Zia was not responsible for the incident of January 11 and added those who said Khaleda along with Awami League's chief Sheikh Hasina was responsible for the untoward incident were distorting history.

"If the government wants to remove corruption, why are they using Hussain Mohammad Ershad who was convicted by the highest court of the country on corruption charges?" he asked.

Saying about the recent killing of BDR and Bangladeshi innocent farmers by the BSF on the border belt, Mojaheed urged the government to release Begum Zia for ending the killing and preservation of the country's independence and sovereignty.

Demanding the national election first ahead of the Upazila Election, he urged the government to create congenial atmosphere for constructive practice of the politics.

He alleged that the government was trying to break the political party and alliance, which was immoral.

BNP leader Prof Abdul Mannan and Nazrul Islam Khan, Jamaat leaders Kamaruzzaman, Abdul Kader Molla and Azharul Islam, secretary general of Bangladesh Jatiya Party (Naziur) Shamim Al Mamun, secretary general of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ahmed Abdul Kader and secretary general of Bangladesh Islami Okyajote Abdul Latif Nizami, among others, addressed the rally.

BNP Secretary General Khandoker Delwar Hossain presided over the rally and BNP leader Habib-un-Nabi Sohel conducted it.

Besides, the 4-party alliance observed various programmes including formation of human chain and indoor rally across the country to realise the three-point demand.