BNP leader accuses govt of delaying Zia verdict copy

Senior BNP leader Moudud Ahmed yesterday alleged that the government was delaying the delivery of the certified copy of the verdict against Khaleda Zia only to prolong her stay in jail.Moudud warned that people will give a befitting reply through ballots to the government’s ‘vengeful attitude’ towards Zia.“The verdict was pronounced on February 8, but we still didn’t get a certified copy of it. They (government) are resorting to a ploy to keep Khaleda in jail as long as they can,” the BNP leader said.Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, said the government’s popularity is on the wane for showing a vengeful attitude towards Zia.He said they will move the apex court to file an appeal against the verdict and seek bail for her as soon as they get the certified copy of the verdict.The former law minister hoped that the court will grant bail to Zia.He alleged that Zia was jailed with a ‘false allegation of misappropriating orphans’ money to defame and belittle her. “The government won’t be able to make any political gain with it.”He said people – even many Awami League supporters – did not like the way Zia was sent to jail and the government is treating with her.Moudud said they will continue their movement alongside taking preparations for the next general election. “We must join the next election as people want it.”“We’ll carry out the movement and create an atmosphere to force the government to hold the next national election under a non-party neutral administration. Only Awami League will face the dire consequences in that poll,” he added.The BNP leader alleged that Zia has been kept in solitary confinement at the abandoned old Dhaka Central Jail violating the existing jail code, law and the constitution.He said the government has created a political instability by taking Zia to jail. “The government is solely responsible for it. They’ve shut all the doors to a political understanding through it.” Moudud said their party has now two challenges – bringing Zia out of jail and forcing government to take proper steps – for arranging a credible election.He said people think the national election cannot be held in a free and fair manner under a political government. “People also won’t allow anyone to hold any election without the participation of Zia and BNP.”The BNP leader said it will be a blunder of the government if it thinks it can weaken their party with repressive acts.Earlier at a press conference, BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that the court is not giving the certified copy of the verdict due to government ‘obstruction’.As per the rule, he said, the court should provide the certified copy of the verdict within five days of delivering it. “But they’re violating the rules. It has manifested that the government’s interference in the judiciary.”He said the government’s delaying the process of providing the verdict copy also exposed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her special envoy HM Ershad are the masterminds behind Zia’s conviction.Rizvi said people have a perception that the court is buying time now to amend the verdict as per Awami League’s directions.