AL govt is afraid of BNP, lacks popular support: Rizvi

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi

Dhaka, April 19 - BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday said the government is depriving many leaders of the party of fresh air and day light by throwing them into the jails.

Rizvi said it in a sit-in programme in front of the National Press Club organised by Zia Projanmo Dal (ZPD) demanding the release of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and  other imprisoned leaders.

The jails have turned into permanent residence for many BNP leaders and activists as without any reason they have been imprisoned for months, he said.

“Top BNP leaders like the secretary general, standing committee members, vice- chairman, join secretary general have suffered prison terms for three-four month before their release recently," he alleged.

Sheikh Hasina’s policy to imprison BNP leaders and activists is not finished yet, he charged.

The PM, he said, is afraid of BNP and knows that there is no popular support for her.

A government lacking support of the people turns autocratic, Rizvi said adding, it suppresses the people when they raise their voice for rights.

“They resort to all means of suppression such as imprisonment , making ‘Ayana Ghar for torture, use law enforcement  agencies to kill opponents  and use party cadres to thrash the oppositions," said the BNP leader.

The Awami League government imprisoned  25 to 26 thousand BNP leaders and activists before January 7 dummy election, he claimed.

A large number of BNP men still remains in prison while a few walked out after serving 3-4 months jail terms, he said.

Rizvi said does the government has any honest answer as to why so many BNP members are being put in jail.

The prime minister is doing this only to retain her illegally gained state power, he alleged. - UNB