Dhaka: BNP on Tuesday alleged that though its chairperson Khaleda Zia’s health condition is gradually falling, the government is buying time in ensuring her treatment in a specialised hospital.

‘The health condition of our leader (Khaleda) is gradually worsening. Her personal physicians said her left leg and left hand may get paralysed if she is not given treatment immediately,’ said party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also said though their party’s a high-profile delegation, led by its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, met Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan two days back, no step is in sight to ensure her proper treatment.

‘We think the government is buying time resorting to tricks over her treatment. We strongly demand the government take steps for our leader’s treatment in a specialised hospital,’ the BNP leader said.

Rizvi said their party’s all district and city units will observe a two-hour—from 10am to 12noon—token hunger strike programme on Wednesday demanding Khaleda’s release and her proper treatment.

The BNP leader alleged that their party’s over 300 leaders and activists, including 275 in Dhaka, were arrested by police on Monday from their human-chain programmes.

‘The government in a planned way arrested our party men from our peaceful programmes, even after giving permission to hold those. We strongly condemn and protest such behaviour of the government,’ he added.

Rizvi demanded the government immediately release their arrested party leaders and activists.