BNP senior leader Moudud Ahmed on Friday said the next general election will not be allowed to be held keeping their party chairperson Khaleda Zia in jail. 

‘The government is saying the judiciary is independent. But it’s also directing (jail authorities) not to provide our chairperson’s Vokalatnama (power of attorney) promptly. It has demonstrated the government’s dual policy to linger Khaleda Zia’s stay in jail,’ he said, reports the UNB.

Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said Khaleda Zia will return among them walking out of jail foiling the government’s all plots. ‘No national election can be held in the country without her participation as people won’t accept it.’

Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, warned that it will turn into a daydream if the government plans to hold another ‘lopsided’ election like January 5, 2014 one. ‘They’ (govt) won’t be able to implement their evil designs. Everything has its limit, and the government has already crossed its limit.’

Zia Nagorik Forum, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club demanding Khaleda’s release from jail.

Moudud said their party has long been trying to unite people with its peaceful programmes. ‘The coming months will be challenging for us. A time will come, when we’ll have no other alternative to waging a street movement if the government doesn’t reach an understanding.’

He said the government had thought it would be able to split BNP after sending its chairperson in jail, but its dream has got shattered as the party is now better united.

The BNP leader said their party leaders and activists will remain united no matter whether its chief stays in jail or comes out of jail. ‘I can assure you we’ll face all the challenges together maintaining our unity.’

About the country’s eligibility for graduation to a developing country, Moudud said no single government has credit for it. ‘We could’ve got this recognition 7-8 years back had BNP been in power.’

He said it got delayed for meeting the eligibility criteria for becoming a developing country due to the government’s widespread ‘corruption and misrule’.

The BNP leader said the country’s framers and RMG workers, especially women, and expatriate Bangladeshis made the main contributions to turning Bangladesh into a developing country.