"Government wants to kill Khaleda Zia"

He further said, "They are showing various laws and regulations to stop former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia from going abroad for treatment. When you (referring to Sheikh Hasina) had an ear problem, didn't you go to America?

The government wants to kill Begum Khaleda Zia by not allowing her to seek medical treatment abroad, alleged BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Speaking about the rejection of the request to send Khaleda Zia abroad by the Ministry of Law, he said, "This government, this unelected anti-people government, wants to kill the leader of democracy, the mother of democracy, the former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. By denying her medical treatment misleading the public with false pretenses, and misinterpreting the law, they want to kill the former Prime Minister today without treatment."

Yesterday, on Sunday, outside the central office of the BNP at Naya Paltan, during the farmer's rally organized by the Jatiyatabadi Krishi Dal with demands like "Resign Sheikh Hasina government, dissolve the parliament, and hold elections under a neutral government and release Khaleda Zia," he made these remarks. Thousands of leaders and activists, wearing green and yellow caps, joined the rally from Kakrail to Fakirerpool. At the rally, activists chanted slogans like "If something happens to Khaleda Zia, houses will be set on fire," and "One time, one demand, when will Sheikh Hasina go?"

Responding to the government's statement about not allowing Begum Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment, Mirza Fakhrul said, "The only reason they (the government) are saying these things is that they are cowardly and afraid. They know if the former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia gets well and returns to the people, millions will take to the streets and their reign will be destroyed." He further said, "They are showing various laws and regulations to stop former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia from going abroad for treatment. When you (referring to Sheikh Hasina) had an ear problem, didn't you go to America? Why are you saying all this when former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is facing a life-and-death situation? There's only one reason: politically, they are attacking Begum Zia; they are being violent towards Begum Zia."

"They do not want to keep Zia healthy; they are not allowing Begum Zia to participate in politics. The sole aim of the Awami League is to ensure that there is no opposition in the country and that they are the only ruling party. Their rhetoric suggests that they are the only owners of this nation, and we are all mere subjects.

Regarding the government's ire over Peter Haas, the BNP Secretary-General said, "They (the government) are very upset about Peter Haas. Their leaders and ministers are speaking out against him, ignoring all diplomatic norms. Even the television channels owned by their lineage are spreading falsehoods. They are so irresponsible and lack a sense of duty that they have created issues with the country where we export most of our products and where they demand the majority of our garments. 

Another top BNP leader stated, "Another piece of news is that in September, the lowest amount of remittances has been received. Remittances, the money sent by our workers abroad, have decreased last month. This implies a lack of confidence in the Bangladeshi economy; hence they are not sending money. This has been their doing."

He further stated, "We have no alternatives. I want to directly say, this illegitimate government still has time: resign honorably, hand over power to a neutral caretaker government, dissolve the parliament, set up a new election commission, and arrange elections. If you truly care for the nation's welfare, come under this system. Otherwise, the people of the nation know how to get rid of autocracy, how to shun fascism, and, Inshallah, they will."

Calling for the awakening of the general populace, the BNP Secretary-General said, "We have people from Rangpur-Dinajpur here. A farmer leader had rebelled during the British period, calling all farmers for a revolt. He had said, 'Wake up everyone.' This is the call now. Everyone, wake up. Rise against this terrifying fascist government. Democracy must be established, our national leader must be freed, and Tarek Rahman must be brought back. Take this oath, and in the coming days, let's intensify our protest, build our resistance against their oppressions."

He further accused, "Due to the government's corruption and plundering, our farmers are not getting a fair price for their produce or any fertilizers, pesticides, or seeds. On the other hand, under the guise of mega projects, the government is siphoning off money abroad and accumulating assets."

In a meeting chaired by the Farmers Party chairman Hassan Jafir Tuhin and general secretary Shahidul Islam, BNP leaders Shahjahan Omar, Barkat Ullah Bulu, Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Forhad Halim Donar, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and Khayrul Kabir, among others, were present."

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