BNP against govt move to amend Press Council Act

BNP yesterday said the government's move to amend the Press Council Act was aimed at limiting media freedom.

The amendment will destroy the last pillar of the country's democracy, BNP senior joint secretary general Rizvi Ahmed told a protest meeting at Dhaka Reporters Unity.

The programme was organised, demanding the release of Gazipur City Corporation Mayor MA Mannan.

Addressing the programme, BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said the government was reluctant to fulfil the opposition alliance's "just" demand of holding the national election under a non-party administration as it feared losing power.

"The government knows that it would not be able to remain in power if it meets BNP's demand. They don't have any popularity," Khan said.

"There is no earth under the government's feet. The ruling party has engaged in widespread vote rigging and violence in all types of local election. That's why BNP has long been demanding a general election under a neutral administration... elections cannot be free and fair under the present government," he added.

Khan also said BNP was in a movement to form an elected parliament through people's vote.

Pointing to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, he said the government should investigate suspicious transactions of Tk 2,500 crore in Joy's bank account. "People want to know the source of this money."