BNP chief stresses united movement

A united political movement is now crucial for establishment of a government through an all inclusive election to restore democracy in the country, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said yesterday.

The ruling Awami League has abducted democracy and the people are looking at the nationalist forces for emancipation, she told an iftar programme organised by Bikolpodhara Bangladesh at a Gulshan hotel in the capital.

"We don't want violence, vandalism and snatching ballot boxes but a united democratic movement for a government through participatory elections to achieve the goals of liberation war -- democracy, human rights, education and employment," she said. While women are being repressed at the hands of "unelected" AL government, their loyal opposition lawmaker humiliated women's representatives in parliament calling them "showpieces", she said.

BDB President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, also a former president of Bangladesh, said likeminded political forces had to forget their differences and mistakes to go forward. "Let's call for people's emancipation through politics of a united platform in this holy Ramadan," he said.

ASM Abdur Rob, and Maj Gen (retd) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim were present.