Assisting Sheikh Hasina with her asylum application would be like offering refuge to “a killer and a criminal,” according to BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
“Giving shelter to Sheikh Hasina, who fled the county for India after resigning from the post of Prime Minister in face of the student-people movement, is like providing asylum to a killer and a criminal as well,” he said.
He was speaking to journalists after paying rich tributes to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman at his mausoleum in the capital marking the silver jubilee of Ziaur Rahman Foundation.
Referring to a statement of a neighbouring country regarding giving shelter to Sheikh Hasina, the BNP leader said they have clearly said that Sheikh Hasina is in their country and their behavior to this end is like a “big brother”.
“We have extradition treaty with India. Arrest warrant has been issued against Sheikh Hasina. We have to bring her back to the country through due diplomatic process under the treaty,” he said.
If not, the most wanted offenders in Bangladesh will have the opportunity to seek asylum elsewhere, particularly in India, he warned.
Speaking of Sheikh Hasina, he stated, “The person who can suck bloods of children could have been a top criminal like her (Sheikh Hasina).”
The BNP spokesperson, Rizvi, made reference to the shutdown on Thursday of a portion of officials from different Palli Bidyut Samity (PBS) units under the Rural Electrification Board (REB) and said they are still under the control of the autocracy because the fascist government’s allies are still in charge and intend to destabilise the nation.
He claimed that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman founded the PBS and the REB, and that by demolishing those, the previous administration attempted to discredit him.
“We have said several times about the conspiracy (of destroying those). If they have any demand, they can place it before the government. But why did they announce the shutdown instead of informing the government of their demands? This is part of a deep-rooted conspiracy. It is sabotage,” he said.
He noted that because they are Sheikh Hasina’s allies, they did not enrol in the program under her administration and are now planning schemes to destroy the organisations.
The top BNP leader urged the administration to exercise caution going forward, or else the democratic path that began with the lives of schoolchildren and college students being sacrificed will come to an abrupt end.
“It will create doubt among the people as you (interim government) are making delay (in holding election) in the name of reforms. If you have sincerity, give the power of the people in their hands after making necessary reforms at the quickest possible time,” he said.
“Don’t create complications by bringing up the issue of a proportionate voting system,” Rizvi went on. By establishing obstacles in the guise of an election, it will be akin to lending support to the forces opposed to liberty. Numerous nations from all across the world returned from the proportional voting.”He made reference to Nepal, which used proportionate voting, saying the country had adopted the voting system but has since lost its way.
“It is necessary to consider the aspiration of the people and the society to introduce anything new. The civil society has been speaking in favour of proportionate voting. If it is considered correct on the basis of their opinions, the electoral system will collapse. It will need five to ten years to realize the proportionate voting,” he said. Rizvi said all the political parties (except the Awami League and its allies) accepted the interim government, adding, “It is a government of democracy-loving people and you have to realize what they want.”
