The BNP said yesterday (Friday) that party chairperson Khaleda Zia had gone to London to protect people's interests, not to hatch any conspiracy. “She (Khaleda) will discuss Bangladesh’s problems, its future and the party’s internal affairs and future course of action,” said standing committee member ASM Hannan Shah. He was speaking at a roundtable at the National Press Club. His comments came following remarks of a section of Awami League leaders that the BNP chairperson was in  London to hatch a conspiracy against the country.
Hannan Shah alleged that the country has now turned into a "great prison" where people cannot express their opinion freely. He accused the government of destroying all democratic institutions. The meeting, organised by Zia Parishad, was held with its chairman Dr Abdul Quddus in the chair.
BNP leaders, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Prof Abul Kalam Azad and others addressed the meeting.  At a memorial meeting at the Jatiya Press Club, BNP leader Shah Moazzem Hossain criticised the nomination of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the UN environmental award “Champion of the Earth.”
 “It is ridiculous to give the award to Sheikh Hasina as Dhaka has become the worst livable city in the world,” he said.  The BNP leader called upon the Prime Minister to announce a fresh election under a non-partisan government.
 Presided over by KM Rakibul Islam Ripon, president of the organisation, the meeting was also addressed, among others, by Juba Dal leader Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Shah Mohammad Abu Zafar and Sramik Dal president Anwar Hossain.