AL wants BNP off the equation before polls: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that a conspiracy has been hatched to drive the BNP off the field ahead of the upcoming national election.
"The Panchagarh incident is not an isolated incident, following which BNP men are being named as accused in the case and being arrested," said Mirza Fakhrul at a press conference at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office on Monday.
"Raids are being conducted at the residences of BNP activists. A number of BNP men have already been arrested," he said.
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"This is the Awami League's old tactic…They [ruling Awami League] want the BNP off the equation before polls," claimed the BNP leader.
Fakhrul expressed determination that their movement will stay on its course to the ultimate goal of defeating the ruling regime.
The government has taken fabricated cases, arrests and harassment as their regular agenda, Fakhrul alleged.
"If some 100 are named in a case, another 1,000 unnamed are also accused. When someone gets out on bail, he faces arrest again in a new case," he said. "On 25 February alone, 937 people from eight districts were accused in cases and 53 arrested from BNP's nationwide march programme."
Sharing his own experience in prison, he said, "The BNP men are subjected to inhumane treatment after they are put behind bars in false cases."
Fakhrul also expressed deep concern about the party's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, who was arrested back in December from the Nayapaltan party office.
"He has been suffering from various diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure, and lung complications," said Fakhrul, noting that Rizvi cannot walk without sticks and climb stairs alone as he was shot in the chest and legs during the anti-Ershad movement.
He said Rizvi is brought to the court almost every day without comfortable arrangements, which is a violation of the jail code.
He alleged that the government and the prison authorities are neglecting in providing Rizvi proper medical treatment.
