BRAHMANBARIA: BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has threatened to announce tougher agitation programmes unless the government annuls the newly passed constitution amendment bill.
"I'll ask the government to refrain from framing this new law. Otherwise, we'll not only call hartal, but also announce tougher programmes," she said while speaking at a huge public rally at Neaz Mohammad High School ground in Brahmanbaria on Tuesday afternoon.
Claiming that the new impeachment law was framed through constitutional amendment to intimidate Supreme Court judges, Khaleda Zia said there is no freedom of judiciary in the country. "Judges are to deliver verdicts according to the dictation of the government. Now, the government will force the judiciary to deliver judgements according to its wish. If judges decline to deliver judgements according to the wish of the government, they will be impeached or removed using this new law," she said.
The BNP-led 20-party alliance organised the meeting in protest against forced disappearances, abductions and murders and demanding election under a caretaker government.
Khaleda Zia said they (Awami League) have been violating the constitution though they always say about upholding its sanctity.
Citing the Narayanganj seven murder incident, Khaleda said Sheikh Hasina was well aware of the murders. "She (Prime Minister) was involved in the murders and Additional Director General of RAB Col Zia was also involved in it," she said.
Remarking that the RAB has rotten, Khaleda said: "We formed RAB to contain terrorism. We succeded to contain the menace. But the present government is using RAB for political gains. RAB is being used to abduct and murder opposition leaders and activists. The Narayanganj murders indicate that RAB has already rotten. So, this force must be abolished."
In this regard, the BNP chairperson alleged that the RAB has abducted 36 people and killed 310 of her party men so far.
The BNP chairperson also blasted the government saying that there is no elected government now in the country. Those who are in power are illegal. "In spite of being an illegal government, how do they make tall talks sitting inside parliament? They also pass laws. They are vocal about constitution though they constantly violate it," she said.
Khaleda Zia alleged that the government had been framing illegal laws one after another taking over power in a voterless election. "They are looting people's money. They will be held accountable one day for their misdeeds," she said.
"The government has pocketed thousands of crores of taka in the name of subsidy to quick rental power plants. People have been made confused by releasing false and fabricated data about power generation. Ashuganj Fertiliser Factory is now on the verge of closure due to lack of power and gas," she said, adding that people are now going through a very difficult situation due to loadshedding and high prices of power.
Khaleda said: 'Hasina has committed many crimes. People of her party also have committed many crimes. But, their trials don't take place though the leaders and activists of my party are being harassed through false cases. They have also become the victims of abduction and murder.'
"We'll try everyone for their crimes. None would be spared," she said.
Brahmanbaria district BNP's joint convener and Poura BNP president Advocate Shafiqul Islam presided over the meeting.
The rally was also addressed, among others, by BNP chairperson's adviser Ukil Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan, Islami Oikya Jote central vice-chiarman Abul Hasanat Amini, BNP central executive committee member Amirul Islam Alim, District BNP member secretary Zahirul Huq Khokon, joint convener Khaled Hossain Mahbub Shyamol, Zillur Rahman, Advocate Shafiqul Islam, Rafiqul Huq, Advocate Golam Sarwar Khokon, Sirajul Islam, Khe;afat Majlish district leader Hafez Moulana Emdadullah, Moulana Mohammad Ali and IOJ district secretary Hafez Idris.
Khaleda Zia's entourage included BNP vice-chairman Begum Selima Rahman, Financial Adviser Abdus Salam, Khaleda Zia's security coordinator Maj Gen (Retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar, former woman MP Rehena Akhtar Ranu, forcer JCD leader Kamruzzaman Ratan, Chairperson's special assistant Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas and press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan.
Khaleda Zia reached the meeting venue at about 4.45pm on Tuesday and started addressing the meeting at 5.15pm.
The BNP chairperson's motorcade reached Brahmanbaria Circuit House at about 3.30pm from her Gulshan residence in Dhaka. She also took some rest before reaching the meeting venue.
Updated/ZA
