Dhaka: Accusing the ruling party men of siphoning off their ill-gotten huge money, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Saturday night demanded the government disclose the names of those Bangladeshis deposited money with Swiss banks.

‘Around Tk 5.5 thousand crore has been siphoned off this year. Newspapers ran reports that many Bangladeshis have deposited huge money with Swiss banks. We want to know the identities of those who did it and the amount of their money,’ she said.

Khaleda Zia further said, ‘Though the current government has been in power illegally, I demand it disclose the names of those with detailed information who kept money in the Swiss banks.’

The BNP chief came up with the remarks while inaugurating her party’s two-month long member collection and renewal of old membership campaign.

Earlier on Thursday, the Swiss National Bank launched a series of annual reports titled ‘Banks in Switzerland 2016’ revealing that deposits by Bangladeshis in different banks rose further.

Khaleda opened the programme by renewing her primary party membership paying a subscription of Tk 10. It will continue until September next across the country.

BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Tariqul Islam, Rafiqul Islam Miah and Gayeshwar Chandra Roy also renewed their party membership while six people became new members of the party at the programme.

Khaleda Zia asked BNP leaders and activists to make their party membership campaign a success with their concerted efforts.

‘We had a target of having 50 lakh members last time (in 2012). This time, we’ve set a target of incorporating one crore members.’

She also alleged that Awami League has made all the state institutions dysfunctional with its ‘misrule and widespread corruption’ over the last 10 years. ‘People now want to take part in a fair election to get rid of it by changing the government.’

The BNP chief said an election-time ‘supportive’ government is essential so that people can cast their votes and elect their representatives through a fair and acceptable election.

She urged the government to take steps for holding an impartial election to save the country and ‘restore’ democracy and people’s voting rights.

Otherwise, Khaleda Zia warned, the ruling party will have to face a dire consequence.

She also asked her party men to work for party braving any kind of intimidation and obstacle.

Khaleda Zia said the country’s people and all the friendly countries want a participatory election to be held in Bangladesh after ensuring a level-playing field. ‘That’s why we’re saying about deployment of army seven days before the election. Voters will dare go to polling stations to cast their votes if army remains there. You (AL) shouldn’t have objection to it as army did it in the past as well.’