BNP lobbies with AL for Khaleda release
Quader slams BNP leaders for double standards
STAFF REPORTER, Dhaka
Despite their efforts to free BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail, top leaders of the party are yet to appeal formally to the authorities concerned over the issue, said Awami League (AL) general secretary Obaidul Quader. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir recently called me to discuss this topic. He requested me to inform Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina about the matter, which I did, he added.
Quader was talking to reporters at AL president Sheikh Hasinas Dhanmondi political office in the city yesterday. BNP leaders and family members of Khaleda Zia are separately talking about Khaledas release. But they are yet to submit any formal application to the authorities concerned. They are seeking Khaledas release verbally but refraining from submitting anything in writing, he said.
I called the home minister and the law minister to know whether the BNP had filed any appeal seeking Khaledas release on parole, but they didnt know anything about the issue, said Quader.
The AL leader, however, declined to reveal the governments stand if the BNP indeed appeals for the release of its party chairperson through proper channels.
He said BNP leaders sought their party chairperson Khaleda Zias release from the government on political consideration, but Khaleda was sent to prison in corruption cases.
Its not a political case. Khaleda Zia is now in jail for doing corruption. The case was filed by a caretaker government. So, the government has no jurisdiction to release her. It depends
on the court, he added.Quader, who is also the road transport and bridges minister, accused the BNP of maninating double standards in its demand to free Khaleda. The BNP has declared a series of movements to release their chairperson. On the other hand, its requesting the government to free her from jail on parole. This shows a double standard, he said.
On their part, BNP leaders mention that Khaleda Zia should be released on bail on humanitarian grounds and political consideration.
Speaking at a programme in the city, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said yesterday: The government should release the Khaleda on humanitarian grounds instead of doing politics on the issue.
He also said they will continue their efforts to get their leader out of jail.
At the BNP chairpersons Gulshan office, the veteran BNP leader called upon the government to release Khaleda.
Asked about the outcome of his conversation with Obaidul Quader, Fakhrul said that it was better to ask the AL leader for the answer. The health condition of Deshnetri has seriously deteriorated. Her family members applied for sending the former premier abrard for better treatment, he added.
He also said they earlier held a meeting with Khaledas lawyers and decided to file a fresh petition seeking the release of Khaleda, who is now serving her 17-year terms in two graft cases.
Earlier, the party standing committee meeting with Khaledas lawyers was held at Khaledas Gulshan office. BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman joined the meeting over Skype.
Khaleda Zia was sent to jail on February 8, 2018. The 73-year-old former premier is currently undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
On April 1 last year, Khaleda was shifted to BSMMU from the Old Dhaka Central Jail with severe pain in the joints of her hands and legs, insomnia, weakness, and high sugar level.
