The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain Sunday set a 72-hour ultimatum for the caretaker government to unconditionally release their party chairperson and ex-PM Khaleda Zia and ensure her son Tarique Rahman's treatment abroad.

"Otherwise, we will go for tough action program in consultation with the 4-party alliance," he told a meeting at Diploma Engineers Institution.

The unparalleled BNP leader of the day issued the deadline in the wake of the remarks of two influential Advisors-Dr Hossain Zillur and Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader-that the process of Begum Zia's release is now at the final stages.

She was arrested on September 3 last year in the GATCO graft case amid a crackdown in the interim period following the 1/11 changeover. Later, several other corruption cases were filed against her under the ongoing purge.

Her son Tarique, who is suffering from spinal-cord problem, was arrested before her mother in connection with a number of corruption cases.

BNP's main ally Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid also sounded similar warnings about street agitation if the caretaker regime failed to meet the demand.

The meeting was organized by the four-party alliance to press for release of all political detainees, including Begum Zia.

BNP senior leaders Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddique and MK Anwar, BJP chairman Andalib Rahman Partha and secretary general Shamim Al Mamun, Jamaat leaders Quader Mollah and ATM Azharul Islam, IOJ secretary general Abdul Latif Nezami and Khelafat Majlis secretary general Ahmed Abdul Quader, among others, also addressed the meeting.

Khandaker Delwar urged the government to set free Begum Zia and, if necessary, consult her on political dialogue and election matters.

"If Khaleda Zia and Tarique are released, BNP and four-party alliance will extend all cooperation to the government in holding free and fair elections," he said, seemingly offering a swap.

The BNP secretary general alleged that despite repeated appeals, the caretaker government did not pay any heed to those. Rather, the government is moving forward with its "blueprint".

Delwar said people now understood how this caretaker government, being "patronized by a foreign power", is carrying forward its activities "violating the Constitution".

"But we like to clearly tell you that people will not accept this election under a blueprint of imperialist and aggressive powers," he told the meeting amidst cheers from the alliance supporters.

The BNP secretary general reminded the government of its constitutional obligation, saying that this government has no jurisdiction to hold other elections but parliamentary polls. "Then, why are you dillydallying in holding the national elections? " he questioned.

He also asked the government why it is not sending Tarique abroad for treatment despite High Court's clear judgment in this respect. "Why don't you send him abroad for treatment? Do you want his death?" An angry Delwar asked.

The BNP leader said they would not have any objection if politicians are tried under normal laws of the land. "But if they are tried and punished with political motives, neither the people nor we will accept that," he said.

Jamaat secretary general Mujahid asked Commerce and Education Advisor Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman to explain his Saturday's remarks that process of Khaleda Zia's release is at the final stage.

"We want to know it clearly-is it your personal opinion or the government's statement?" he said. "How many hours will be needed to free Khaleda and Tarique?"

Mujahid also asked the government to free them within 72 hours and clear its position. "Otherwise, the 4-party alliance will go for final movement," he warned.

The Jamaat leader demanded the scrapping of the August 4 elections for four city corporations and nine municipalities as the voter's list under which these elections were conducted "has no legal basis".