Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia on Wednesday urged the countrymen to rebuild the country by shunning the path of destruction and tendency of taking revenge.
“No destruction, no anger and no revenge. We need love and peace to rebuild our country,” she said while virtually addressing a mammoth rally in front of the BNP central office at Nayapaltan in the capital.
Khaleda Zia, who was set free on Tuesday, came up with the remarks, three days after the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led government amid a mass upsurge.
Leaders and activists of the BNP heard her ‘political’ speech for the first time after over six years as she
was landed in jail on February 8 in 2018 following her 17-year jail term in two separate corruption charges.
The BNP, which remains out of power since 2007, organised the rally as part of the students victory as AL president Sheikh Hasina was compelled to step down amid a huge public protest and fled the country.
With a cheering mood, several thousands of leaders and activists from Dhaka and across the country started thronging the venue since morning.
BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman addressed the rally virtually as chief guest with BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in the chair.
Soon after the speech of Tarique Rahman, the face of Khaleda Zia was appeared on a giant screen. Leaders and activists were jubilant seeing the face of Khaleda Zia.
Giving a clear message to her followers to shun the path of destruction, Khaleda Zia expressed her gratitude to the Almighty Allah.
She also thanked all for offering prayers to get cured and making struggles for her release.
“I have been released from the fascist and ‘illegal’ government through your long struggle. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the brave sons who make the impossible possible by waging a do or die movement. I also pay respect to the martyrs,” she said.
Terming the youths as the future of the country, she said, “We have to build a prosperous Bangladesh from the wrong-drawn corruption and undemocratic practices.”
“We have to build a knowledge-based Bangladesh to fulfill the dreams of the youths for which they shed their blood,” she added.
Khaleda Zia stressed the need for ensuring the rights of the people of all religions and caste.
“Let us strengthen the hands of youths in building a peaceful, prosperous and modern Bangladesh,” she said.
Although the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order by suspending her sentence on 25 March 2020, she had to live alone at her Gulshan residence. She was not seen attending any political programmes till her release.
Addressing the rally, Tarique Rahman, who had been staying in London since 2008, also urged the countrymen not to take laws in their hands.
“Do not take the responsibility of trial on your own hands. You must think that it is not a solution to stage violence,” he said.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul said that BNP extend full cooperation to the interim government.
“I will appeal to the President to form the interim government quickly without any delay. Those who will be in this government will hold elections within three months. We will extend full support to the interim government for this,” he said.
Mirza Fakhrul said that the Awami League government had to resign and Sheikh Hasina fled the country. “This is a victory for all of you. This victory belongs to the students…this victory is yours. All will be conscious to protect the victory that has been achieved. Plotters can plot anew. They can ruin victory through intrigues. We should not give them that opportunity,” he said.
BNP Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Selima Rahman and others also spoke at the rally.
