BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday renewed their party’s demand for the unconditional release of Khaleda Zia for the sake of democracy.
Speaking at a doa mahfil at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also said Khaleda Zia and democracy are inseparably linked, reports UNB.
"She struggled to restore democracy throughout her life. She has now been kept under house arrest by the fascist Awami League government due to her efforts to restore democracy. So, our first condition is that she be released unconditionally,” the BNP leader said.
He said Khaleda is not an ordinary leader as she has become an institution with her continuous struggle for democracy, emancipation and the wellbeing of people by sacrificing the happiness of her earthly life.
Fakhrul wised Khaleda a long life on the occasion of her birthday. “We pray to Allah for her recovery so that can return to us and lead us in the days to come."
As part of BNP’s countrywide programme, its Dhaka north and south city units organised the doa mahfil, marking the 77th birthday of Khaleda.
According to BNP’s website, Khaleda Zia was born to Iskandar Majumder and Taiyaba Majumder on August 15, 1945, in Dinajpur district.
Fakhrul accused the Awami League government of 'usurping' power illegally, he said it has destroyed all the hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh by resorting to repressive acts like Pakistani occupation forces.
"They have continued their fascist rule for 15 long years using the state machinery and unleashing a reign of terror through oppression,” he observed.