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BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia who’s been conspicuously absent from active politics since her parole even as the country hurtles towards the election, has found herself at the centre of a political debate. Her eligibility to actively participate in political activities — given the fact that she’s on parole — is now being debated among the Awami League top brass. The issue first came into the focus with the statement of Awami Leader Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim on the floor of the Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) who said that Khaleda Zia while coming out of jail to receive treatment has given an undertaking that she will never do politics. It was her condition of the release and suspension of the imprisonment, Selim claimed.
But Law Minister Anisul Huq dismissed Sheikh Selim’s claim and made a counter statement responding to reporters’ query that so far in his knowledge, no such condition was tagged while Khaleda Zia was released from jail. But only on the condition that she has to take treatment from within the country and cannot leave the country.
BNP leaders also outright rejected the claim of Sheik Selim’s statement. But cautiously they refrained from making any further statement as they have seen it as a trap and part of a game plan to return Khaleda Zia to jail.
Some of the senior ministers also made different statements that differ from each other. Some of the statements were provocative, but BNP did not respond to any statements. Rather, they continued their policy not to make any comment.
Many BNP leaders believe that Awami League brought the issue to the focus only to divert the attention of the people from the nagging crisis in the economy and make the BNP leaders and activists confused and mislead them. They said that if BNP leaders and activists are somehow misled and confused, the government will get a great relief from the current flow of political movement. On the other hand, people will then discuss the conflicts within BNP and the economic issues will be out of focus.
However, it is still really a big question why the government brought up the issue of Khaleda Zia’s suspension of imprisonment. Political analysts are searching for the actual reasons behind the issue. The BNP again intensified its street movement following the visit of US Assistant Secretary Bureau Of South And Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu. The recent visit of another US official, Derek Chollet, a senior policy advisor to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who arrived in Bangladesh on a two-day visit on February 14.
They believe that the ruling Awami League is still under tremendous pressure from US and its European allies for holding a free, fair and participatory election and also on the question of human rights and democracy. So, their movement will finally bring success and the government will finally accept the demand for holding an election under a neutral caretaker government. They said that if there is no neutral government BNP will not participate in the election. On the other hand, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other ministers in their recent statements categorically said that they would not accept any caretaker government system. It’s not clear if there is no understanding between the two arch rival parties on the issue of election-time government, then what will happen. What the US and its European and Asian allies will play the role in that situation. Only time will say.
What is the fuss about Khaleda Zia’s political presence?
The question of whether imprisoned BNP Chairperson and former premier Khaleda Zia can do politics has surfaced again, with several senior leaders of the ruling party commenting on the matter.
Political analysts say the government should have mentioned it earlier if Khaleda Zia could do politics now. The ruling party’s remarks also created confusion about whether the suspension of her sentence would be upheld.
BNP leaders say these are nothing but political rhetoric and a trap hatched by the government to send Khaleda Zia back to jail before the next election. They also believe that the government has softened its stance upon being pressured by different quarters, including foreign diplomats.
Khaleda Zia was released from Dhaka Central Jail in March 2020 under an executive order of the government on the condition of receiving medical treatment at home due to her illness and not doing politics.
In particular, Khaleda Zia is not barred from doing politics as her party leaders and relatives linked to the BNP often met her. But she cannot run for the election due to her conviction in corruption cases.
The BNP chief was convicted in corruption cases involving Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust. But her sentence was suspended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on humanitarian grounds. In the absence of Khaleda Zia, her exiled son Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir are conducting party programmes and meetings.
Khaleda Zia made rounds late last year when several BNP leaders said she would participate in the party’s divisional rally in Dhaka on December 10, prompting the government to take a strict stance ahead of the rally.
The government did not permit the BNP to hold the rally as per its choice. The police arrested Mirza Fakhrul and Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas, among others, 48 hours before the rally after a clash in Naya Paltan central office area.
Some political analysts think that the BNP and like-minded parties and alliances are holding programs simultaneously, demanding the government’s resignation and a non-partisan government ahead of the polls. There may be doubts within the government and the Awami League whether Khaleda Zia could be brought to the streets at any stage of the ongoing movement.
When contacted, several BNP leaders said they would discuss the matter in the party forum and give a formal response.
What did the law minister say?
Law Minister Anisul said that the BNP chairperson could participate in politics, since it was her personal matter. “The government will not interfere in her politics,” said the minister.
But she would not be able to contest the next general election because of her conviction in corruption cases. “The constitution states that any person who has been sentenced to two years of imprisonment cannot participate in the elections. There is nothing new to say,” said Anisul.
What did Sheikh Selim say?
Earlier, senior Awami League leader Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim claimed in parliament on January 26 that an undertaking was given on the BNP chairperson’s behalf that she would not do politics before her release from jail.
Selim, also a cousin of the prime minister, said that Khaleda’s siblings had met the prime minister for her release. “A convict cannot be directly taken home if the person does politics. So, the premier told them that Khaleda won’t be allowed to do so,” he said.
What do the BNP leaders say?
Former BNP lawmaker and Assistant International Affairs Secretary Rumeen Farhana termed the comments by ruling party leaders a new trap by the government.
“First of all, if the law minister’s statement is right, then why did their senior leader Sheikh Selim tell parliament that she cannot do politics? Their dual role is proving that the Awami League is lying and that what is true, they should clarify it to the nation.”
Rumeen Farhana thinks the Awami League recently may have come under pressure from international quarters as they are barring Khaleda Zia from politics.
“On the other hand, if Khaleda Zia starts participating in political activities, then the government can again send her to jail claiming that Khaleda Zia’s physical condition is okay now. So, I think it’s totally a trap by the government,” she added.
What did the AL-BNP spokespersons say?
After the remarks by Sheikh Selim, journalists asked the senior leaders of Awami League, including General Secretary Obaiul Quader, about the matter.
Quader said: “Sheikh Selim is a senior party leader and he might have some information on what he said.”
On the other hand, Mirza Fakhrul said there was no question of giving such a bond that Khaleda Zia would not do politics.
“The Awami League leader [Sheikh Selim] gave false and absurd statements. The leaders of the ruling party are now giving baseless speeches after being alienated,” Fakhrul added at that time.
Meanwhile, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that as a convict, the BNP chairperson had no scope for politics.
Quader, also the general secretary of the ruling Awami League, was replying to journalists following a joint meeting of the AL and its associated bodies at the party’s Bangabandhu Avenue central office.
Earlier, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said that the BNP chief was granted conditional permission to stay at home due to her medical condition and age. She cannot do politics according to the conditions.
“It is not mentioned in the conditions that she will not do politics. But it says that she will take medical treatment while at home. But it is mentioned that she cannot take part in any other activities. Therefore, she should not be allowed to do politics either,” the minister added.
What do legal experts say?
Prominent lawyer Dr Shahdeen Malik said: “Bails are usually given as a promise to refrain from criminal or criminal activities. Politics is certainly not a criminal activity. So the question of bailing Khaleda Zia for not participating in political activities cannot arise.”
The law minister probably wanted to clarify this concept, he added.
“Whether Khaleda Zia will participate in political activities is entirely her decision. However, the decision on the next step may be after examining the relevant documents and legal aspects of Khaleda Zia’s suspended sentence under Section 401 of the Criminal Procedure Code,” Shaheen told the media.
Law minister clarifies
Referring to the temporary release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail, Law Minister Anisul said that she will not be able to contest in the upcoming parliamentary polls as she is a convicted criminal.
“She has been released from jail temporarily for medical treatment. Apart from that, her current physical condition is not suitable for politics,” the law minister said while speaking at an event in Brahmanbaria on February 25.
Mentioning that Khaleda Zia is named in two corruption cases, the law minister noted: “While one case has already been tried, the other one is still under trial. As per Article 66 of the constitution, she is disqualified from participating in any election due to being sentenced.”
The law minister also mentioned that in view of Khaleda Zia’s brother’s plea, she was released on two conditions.
“The conditions of her release were that she must receive medical treatment at her home in Dhaka and cannot travel outside the country. However, no conditions were imposed regarding her political activities,” he added.
Huq mentioned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina granted her release on humanitarian grounds.
The law Minister also said that he agreed with the leaders of the ruling party regarding Khaleda Zia’s participation in the polls.
“My colleagues are making statements based on the current situation. It is reasonable to assume that someone who is released from prison for medical reasons should not engage in politics. Their remarks are logical,” he said.
The law minister also stated that journalists have created confusion about whether or not BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will be able to continue her political activities.
Fakhrul: Constitution must be amended
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on February 17 said the latest presidential election has proved the current constitution needs to be amended, as it is not conducive to resolving the country’s problems.
Fakhrul also described the prime minister’s assertion about credible polls under the Awami League government as laughable, and reiterated that BNP will not join any more polls under the current regime.
“The president-elect said in a television interview that he knew nothing about it (his nomination). We also didn’t know anything about it. This presidential election proves that the existing constitution can’t resolve the problems of the country. So, the constitution must be amended,” the BNP leader said.
In an address prior to launching the BNP Dhaka South City unit’s march program, he said their party talked about amending the constitution in the 27-point memo it presented earlier for the reform of the state.
He said a balance should be ensured between the power of the Prime Minister and the President and a polls-time caretaker government system must be restored for ensuring a participatory credible election – all of which requires amending the constitution.
As part of BNP’s scheduled program on February 24, the leaders and activists of BNP’s Dhaka South City unit marched from Motijheel to Nayabazar to press home the party’s 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party caretaker government.
“The government has turned the country into a failed state. They badly destroyed the country and its institutions. Like the previous year, the USA again did not invite Bangladesh to its Summit for Democracy. It’s a matter of sorrow,” the BNP leader said.
He said Awami League is basically a “terrorist” party which always wants to cling to power by resorting to violence and spreading panic among people.
“They usurped power in 2014 and 2018 by creating a reign of terror and intimidating people. They’re again trying to again grab power by force in the upcoming election. BNP and the country’s people will not go to any more polls under the Awami League government,” he said.
“The prime minister is saying to the foreigners who are coming to Bangladesh that there will be very good elections under the Awami League-led government and everyone will be able to vote freely. Even the horses started laughing after hearing such a remark,” Fakhrul said.
He unequivocally said BNP and the people of Bangladesh will not join any election under the Awami League government. “The people of Bangladesh will never accept any election in which they won’t be able to cast their votes.”
Fakhrul urged the government to quit immediately without wasting any more time. “You must step down, and dissolve the parliament after taking steps for holding the next election under a non-party caretaker government to be conducted by a new Election Commission. Otherwise, the country’s people won’t spare you.”
10 BNP activists killed by police since August
Referring to a report from rights body Ain O Salish Kendra, Fakhrul said 72 people were subjected to extrajudicial killing by police in the last 13 months.
He said police also unfairly obstructed the opposition’s political activities and gunned down 10 BNP leaders and activists during the ongoing anti-government movement that began in August last year.
The BNP leader also alleged that police arrested many leaders and activists unlawfully and raided their houses and repressed them.
He said the common people are gradually getting poorer while the ruling party men are getting richer by indulging in corruption and plundering. “They’ve indulged in plundering and theft in a way that now there’s no money in the bank and no dollar for opening LCs to import goods. They have exceeded all limits of theft.”
Earlier, the leaders and activists of BNP’s Dhaka north city unit marched from Uttara’s Jasimuddin Road intersection to Abdullahpur.
Apart from BNP, LPD, Gonoforum, People’s Party, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote and Peshajibi Ganatantrik Jote also staged the march program in different areas of the capital at different times on Friday as part of the simultaneous movement to oust the current government.
Quader: No way to restore caretaker govt
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on February 19 outright rejected any possibility of restoring the obsolete caretaker government system by amending Bangladesh’s constitution.
“The caretaker government will not return. No matter whatever efforts you make, the government will stick to the constitution,” he said while speaking at the unwrapping ceremony of a book titled “Deshnetri Sheikh Hasinar Sharna Jugh” at Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, reiterated that there is no chance of changing the state power without elections.
“If you want to change power, there is no alternative to participating in the elections,” he said.
About the BNP’s allegations against the government, the Awami League general secretary said the claim of lodging cases against five million BNP leaders and workers is unreasonable, fabricated and false.
During the AL regime, the Election Commission was formed first in the country following the law, Quader said.
He said the Awami League government is gradually making the country’s democracy and electoral system flawless.
