Bangladesh News

BNP Chairperson and immediate past prime minister Khaleda Zia yesterday said her party wants a free, fair and peaceful election in right time.

She said this in response to a question from visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher about the BNP’s stand regarding the upcoming general elections.

Boucher called on Khaleda at her cantonment residence at 3:50pm and discussed various issues, particularly the coming general elections.

Briefing newsmen after an hour-long meeting, former foreign minister M Morshed Khan said Boucher told the BNP chairperson that US wants to see a peaceful and fair election in Bangladesh as per the constitution.

He also said fair and peaceful election with participation of all political parties will strengthen the existing democratic process in Bangladesh.

Khaleda informed the US assistant secretary of state that she has already gave directives to her party leaders and workers to maintain peace and discipline.

Replying a query from Boucher regarding the countrywide blockade of 14-party combine, the BNP chairperson said her party is concerned about security of the people. “But we will resist if they (14-party combine) attack the workers of BNP and four-party alliance,” Moshed quoted Khaleda as saying.

“We will give priority to strengthening local government, eliminating corruption and completing their unfinished development activities if the four-party alliance returns to power,” Khaleda told the US official.

Boucher praised BNP government’s role in curbing terrorism and hoped that her stand against international terrorism would continue in future.

US Ambassador Patricia Butenis and BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan were also present during the meeting.