Dhaka: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, sent to old Dhaka central jail just a month back after conviction in a graft case, has been spending her most time reading newspapers, books and saying prayers, said party leaders met her on Wednesday, reports the UNB.

Two party standing committee members said Khaleda, during their meeting, highly appreciated them for carrying out peaceful programmes and keeping the party united in her absence.

The two leaders said they talked various issues, mainly the party’s organisational ones, during the meeting. But there was no discussion on the upcoming national election as the BNP chief is very confident that she will be released from jail through a legal battle much ahead of the election.

She, however, is a little bit worried that the government may try to prolong her stay in jail.

They said the BNP chief repeatedly suggested them to keep the party rank and file in an upbeat mood and mobilise more public support through various peaceful programmes, rallies in divisional cities and visiting different districts.

The BNP leaders said Khaleda told them to let people know that her health condition is fine as she has an apprehension that the government may circulate false information that she is sick with an ulterior motive.

‘We first got emotional seeing our leader in the jail, but she was very cool and normal,’ said a BNP standing committee member wishing anonymity.

He said Khaleda did not say anything about her difficulties and sufferings inside the jail. ‘She said she’s fine and taking food regularly.’

At one stage of the conversation, the BNP leader said, ‘Madam said she knew everything about BNP’s peaceful movement as she passes her time reading newspapers and books.’

Khaleda also says prayers and recites from verses from the holy Quran. ‘Madam doesn’t watch TV as there’s no cable connection,’ he added.

Another standing committee member, preferring not to be named, said Khaleda is happy as the party leaders and activists are demonstrating their unity and their participation in the peaceful programme is increasing gradually. ‘Madam has directed us to talk to inactive leaders and remain alert so that no can create any rift in the party.’

Contacted, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said, ‘We found her in a good mood. She was seen very confident as jail is nothing new to her. She’s worried for people, not for the adverse situation she’s facing in jail.’

Replying to a question, the BNP leader said their chairperson is happy over the way the party is run and the movement is being carried out in a peaceful manner in her absence.

There was a gossip and apprehension about a rift in BNP after jailing of Khaleda, he said adding, ‘We’ve proved those wrong as our party is now very united than before. We’re running the party through joint leadership. We hope our leader (Khaleda) will be released very soon.’

He said their chairperson is now more popular than she was before going to jail. ‘Our party has gained many things with her jailing in a false case. People are with us and they’ve profound sympathy for our leader.’

BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed said they were very worried over Khaleda’s health condition before meeting her. ‘But, we found her in a good health condition with strong morale.’

Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said their chairperson is facing all the adversities in jail with courage and confidence. ‘She’s physically fine and mentally very strong.’

Sources at the jail said the BNP leaders talked to Khaleda at the guestroom in presence of two government officials concerned.

According to the source, Khaleda looked gloomy after the departure of the BNP leaders.

An 8-member BNP delegation, including Fakhrul, met Khaleda in jail on Wednesday afternoon. It was the first meeting of party senior leaders with the BNP chief since she went to jail a month back after being convicted in a graft case.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Mirza Abbas, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Khaleda’s personal secretary ABM Abdus Sattar were there in the delegation.

On February 8 last, Khaleda, a 73-year-old a former prime minister, was taken to the old central jail minutes after a special court sentenced her to five years’ rigorous imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.