Khaleda warns no dispute during hartal

Staff Correspondent :

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday warned the government not to do anything that may worsen the situation during the party’s hartal tomorrow.
Reading out a statement at a press briefing at her Gulshan office, she asked the ruling Awami League not to “unleash armed cadres on streets in the name of any counter-programme”.
The leader of the opposition urged people to observe the dawn-to-dusk hartal, which she termed a “note of caution” to the government.
“I’m calling on all to register their protest against the government’s misrule by keeping off work for a few hours.”
Khaleda asked the administration and police to ensure the law enforcers do no excesses during the hartal.
Asked about the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner’s warnings against processions and rallies hampering public movement on hartal day, she said the government would have to bear the responsibilities if anything untoward happens for its attempts to obstruct the opposition programme.
The former prime minister however said time is not ripe yet for demanding a mid-term election. She advised the government: “Grasp the gravity of the situation and correct yourself.”
Citing the Chittagong city corporation election where BNP-backed mayor candidate won a landslide victory, BNP chairperson thanked the port city dwellers.
She said, “People of Chittagong have given a verdict against the government’s failure and misrule. They have shown a positive way of resistance.”
Senior leaders including Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain and standing committee members, among others, were present at the press meet.
Meanwhile, BNP and its allies were wrapping up their preparations for hartal.
Secretaries general of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladeshi Jatiya Party and Islami Oikya Jote last night met at the BNP chief’s office to discuss the preparations.

Tags:  Khaleda warns no dispute during hartal