Zia’s conviction to invite ‘dire consequences’, warns BNP

Senior leader of major opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Gayeshwar Chandra Roy yesterday warned that the consequence will be very ‘bad’ if the court gives any negative verdict on the Zia Charitable graft case filed against their chairperson Khaleda Zia.“I think the foundation stone for the fall of the government will get set up if any negative verdict is pronounced by the court at the behest of it (government) on February 8,” he said.Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said a disastrous situation may be created in the country if Zia is convicted, no matter whether BNP announces any formal action programme or not. On Thursday, the Special Court-5 in Dhaka fixed February 8 to deliver verdict on the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case against Khaleda and 5 others.On August 8, 2011, the Ant-corruption commission filed a graft case against Zia Charitable Trust, accusing four people, including Khaleda Zia, of abusing power in raising funds for the trust from unknown sources. Zia will be disqualified for the next general election if she is convicted in the case.Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said people will come up with a befitting reply if the government tries to take political revenge on Zia using the court.He alleged that Awami League is making various plots to keep their party away from the next polls as the ruling party has no ability to contest against BNP.About the schedule for the presidential election, he said though the president’s post is very important, people have no interest in the polls as the president has no power to play any role during the country’s crisis.Meanwhile, BNP chairperson Zia has convened an urgent meeting of her party’s standing committee today as a court in Dhaka fixed date for pronouncing verdict in a graft case filed against her.The meeting of the BNP policy-making body is scheduled to begin around 8:30pm at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told newsmen.He said the meeting will discuss the country’s overall political situation and latest developments.A BNP standing committee member wishing anonymity said they will mainly discuss the issues relating to the probable court verdict in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case and work out the party’s next course of action.He said they will elaborately discuss the possible measures to face any evolving political situation if their chairperson is ‘unlawfully’ convicted.“It’ll be a very crucial meeting, and we may take ta decision to launch a decisive movement if our chairperson is deprived of justice,” the BNP leader said.