Dhaka: BNP senior leader Moudud Ahmed on Wednesday said people will make sure their Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s release from jail through street agitations if their party’s legal battle fails.

‘I would like say it clearly that the country’s people will ensure the release of Khaleda Zia if the court fails to do that,’ he said.

Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, came up with the comment while speaking at a discussion arranged by Aparajeyo Bangladesh at the Jatiya Press Club.

He said their party will join the next polls under the leadership of Khaleda as no fair and credible election is possible keeping her away from the race. ‘We won’t allow anyone to hold the election without her participation.’

The BNP leader said their party’s only agenda is now to free Khaleda from jail. ‘I think no one should now question us about the next polls until she is released.’

Moudud said they will take preparations for the polls alongside carrying out a movement to force the government to hold a credible election under a non-party administration.

About the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC’s) move to investigate the allegation of ‘suspicious’ bank transactions by their eight top leaders, he said the step was taken after making a fabricated story against the BNP leaders.

‘There’s no basis of the allegation brought against our leaders. The allegation was brought only for their character association. I think it’s a plot to suppress our leaders,’ the BNP leader alleged.

He said the ACC has taken no action against those ruling party leaders creating second home in Canada, the USA and Malaysia by siphoning off thousands crores of taka they plundered. ‘Around 37,000 crores of taka has been siphoned off in last year alone.’

Moudud said the country’s people know it very well that the elements backed by the government are indulging in plundering and money laundering.

He also alleged that the ACC is now being used as the government’s spokesperson to malign BNP leaders.