Dhaka: BNP senior leader Moudud Ahmed on Saturday said their party will launch a strong oust-government movement through forging a national unity.

‘A process of forging a national unity is underway. We must unite all the parties, except Awami League and those in the 14-party alliance. We think a national unity will be instrumental to ensure the current regime’s fall,’ he said.

Speaking at a discussion, he further said, ‘Once the national unity is forged, we’ll come up with effective programmes at a suitable time to oust the government.’

Nagorik Odhikar Mancha arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club demanding BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s release from jail and better treatment of her.

Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, said it is not possible to overthrow an ‘autocratic and fascist regime’ through a peaceful and regular movement. ‘The only way is to announce such programmes which will lead to the government’s fall.’

He said their party is going to join the upcoming three city polls to make people understand once again that a credible and neutral election is never ever possible under the current Awami League-led government.

The BNP leader said they will have to think afresh whether their party will participate in the general election or not if Rajshahi, Sylhet and Barishal city polls are held in Khulna and Gazipur style.

Moudud, a former law minister, said the government has kept their party chief Khaleda in jail resorting to various tricks.

‘Now our first responsibility is to free her (Khaleda). We believe democracy will be restored in the country with her release. The government won’t be able to keep her in jail for a long time, no matter what tactics its resorts to,’ he observed.

Speaking at the programme, another BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said people will get annoyed if BNP cannot come up with proper political decision and action programmes as per their desires.

Mentioning that the country’s 17 core people want to get rid of the current government’s misrule, he urged the nationalist forces to prepare for a strong movement.