Dhaka: Ruling Awami League joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif has termed the BNP’s token hunger strike as a drama, saying such a programme would hardly push its demand. “BNP’s hunger strike to free its chairperson Khaleda Zia is a complete drama. It is not possible to free Khaleda from jail by holding a movement on the street. The BNP should keep faith on the judiciary and BNP leaders should continue their legal fight to free their party chief. Otherwise, there is no way to free her,” he said.
Earlier in the day, BNP started a seven-hour token hunger strike at the Mohanagar Natya Mancha in the city in a bid to push its demand to free its chairperson Khaleda Zia, who was sentenced to jail on February 8, in a graft case.
The ruling party joint general secretary also called upon the BNP leaders to stop such drama in the name of a movement and help the government in its development work.
About the quota reforms movement, Hanif alleged that the BNP-Jamaat had a hand
in it. He also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had formed a committee on the issue and, hence, students should not carry on a movement against the government move.
Meanwhile, at a press conference, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader said BNP wanted to cash in on the quota reforms movement in a bid to destabilize the government.
“BNP has been trying to wage a movement against the government but they have failed to do so as the country’s people are not with them,” he said. Over Khaleda Zia issue, the AL general secretary said BNP leaders would not be able to free their party chief except through a legal battle.
Replying to a question over Khaleda’s participation in the next polls, Quader said people were not bothered whether Khaleda Zia was in jail or outside. They are also not interested in whether Khaleda would join the next polls, he added.
