Bangladesh News

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said her party will not accept any “plan” to hand over power to a “puppet government” through the polls.

The former premier also expressed doubt whether a free and fair election will take place on December 29 as both the caretaker government and the EC have “lost” neutrality.

The BNP chief said this at different election rallies yesterday, the second and final day of her two-day election tour in Northern parts of the country.

Making different pledges, Khaleda said if voted to power, the four-party alliance will give subsidy on agriculture, boost food production, control food prices, generate employment for youths and women, and make free female education up to honours level.

She also urged the young and new voters to cast votes in favour of ’sheaf of paddy’ for a bright future.

“The caretaker government and the Election Commission both have lost their neutrality,” Khaleda said at a rally at Birol High School ground, Dinajpur.

“Despite that, we are contesting the election as the government has fulfilled our demands,” she added.

“The caretaker government will be able to stand down with honour if it transfers

power peacefully after holding free and fair elections,” Khaleda said.

She urged EC and the caretaker government to act neutrally saying, “Otherwise, people won’t forgive you.”

“Whatever you’ve done in the past, prove your neutrality now through your actions and people will remember you,” she said.

During her nightlong campaigns that continued till 7:30am yesterday and resumed again at 12:30pm, the BNP chairperson addressed election rallies in Pirganj in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Thakurgaon and Dinajpur.

Hundreds of people of the areas ignoring intensive cold weather waited at the ground till midnight to attend the meeting.

Khaleda is scheduled to address more rallies in Joypurhat, Naogaon,

Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and Natore today before returning to Dhaka.

Addressing a meeting at Thakurgaon Govt Boys’ High School ground, she said, “The nation will benefit greatly if BNP-led four-party is elected to power as her party completed all its pledges of 1991 and 2001 elections,” she said.

“We are committed to reducing prices of essentials and people will able to lead their lives peacefully,” she said.

She pledged to set up Biral land port if her candidate wins from the constituency.

Prior to her speech in Dinajpur Gor-e-Shaheed Moydan she visited the graveyard of her mother and sister and offered prayers. Later she went to her ancestral home in Balubari in Dinajpur town.

“I’m still struggling against the ill-motives of the caretaker government and I’m giving you the commitment that I will remain beside you as my sister and mother did,” she said.

While addressing in Rangpur on Wednesday, Khaleda promised that Rangpur and its adjoining districts will be brought under gas supply network if BNP-led alliance forms the next government.

She also pledged to would set up an export processing zone in Rangpur region to remove monga permanently.