BNP observes token hunger strike

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Monday observed 7-hour hunger strike in Dhaka and other cities and district headquarters vowing not to allow the next general election keeping party chairperson Khaleda Zia in jail.
The countrywide programme was staged centrally at Dhaka Mahanagar Natya Mancha in the capital.
Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury broke the hunger strike offering water to BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior leaders. 
In the concluding speech, Mirza Fakhrul said that all the speakers at the programme vowed that no parliament election would be allowed to be held in the country keeping jailed Khaleda in prison.
He reiterated the demand for the release of Khaleda and her proper treatment, saying that she was deprived of minimum legitimised facilities.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party activists hold a rally in Munshiganj on Monday, demanding release of the party imprisoned chairperson Khaleda Zia. — New Age photo

He said that the government was doing it to keep Khaleda away from politics and election.
Fakhrul said that atmosphere must be created for the next general election with the formation of a non-party neutral government, reconstitution of the Election Commission, dissolution of parliament and deployment of army during polls.
Fakhrul called on political parties and professional organisations to unite not only to free Khaleda but to restore democracy and free people from ‘autocracy.’
BNP announced the countrywide token hunger strike to protest at the stay of Khaleda’s bail and for ‘unconditional’ release of her.
Token hunger strike was observed in almost all districts and metropolitan cities defying police obstacles at some places said BNP assistant office secretary Belal Ahmed.
Leaders and activists of BNP and its front and associate organisations observed the token hunger strike at Dhaka Mahanagar Natyamancha from 9:00am braving frequent rain under open sky.
Although more than 500 leaders and took part in the hunger strike, hundreds of leaders and activists from different parts of the city gathered there.
Khaleda was jailed for five years in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on February 8 and was sent to old Dhaka Central Jail on Nazimuddin Road in Dhaka,
Addressing the central hunger strike, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said that Khaleda could not be freed through legal battle as, he alleged, she was not convicted in legal process.
She was convicted politically and had to be freed thorough street movement, he said.
BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed said that if they failed to free Khaleda through legal process, the only alternative would be the street.
Breaking the hunger strike, Zafrullah Chowdhury said that the victory of jailed Khaleda was achieved through the hunger strike.
He said it was the beginning of a big victory.
He said that Khaleda before going to jail asked her party leaders and activists to uphold the constitutional movement and the party leaders and activists kept it up.
Former Dhaka University vice-chancellor Emajuddin Ahamed said that people would find new leadership in Khaleda after her release from jail.
He said that Khaleda was now the most popular political personally in Bangladesh and her popularity further increased after being jailed.
He urged BNP leaders and activists to remain prepared, saying that a call might come at any time. 
Leaders of allies of BNP expressed solidarity with the hunger strike.
Nagorik Oikya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna, among others, expressed solidarity with the strike.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net