Khaleda to govt: Don`t make us call strikes, blockades

Khaleda Zia has warned of a tougher movement after the Eid if the government does not initiate a dialogue with her party. Addressing a public rally in the northern district of Joypurhat on Sunday, the BNP chairperson once again called upon the government to open talks for an all inclusive election. The Awami League came to power for a second consecutive term after the Jan 5 general election, which the BNP had boycotted. Ruling party leaders, however, have ruled out the possibility of an early election. “We will go for a tougher movement after the Eid. We will have to opt for stern programmes like strike, blockades if the government tries to stop it,” Khaleda said on Sunday as she renewed her call to open talks. “Don’t make us adopt measures like strikes and blockade,” the former opposition leader warned the government. In her third public appearance since the controversial Jan polls, Khaleda hinted at Sheikh Hasina’s involvement in the assassination of her husband. “You (Hasina) returned to the country of 17 May 1981 and Ziaur Rahman was killed on May 30. Why did the murder of Ziaur Rahman happen just after 13 days of your return, there must be a reason! “Why were you fleeing towards the Indian border wearing burqa, when people from across the country were gathering in Dhaka to attend the funeral prayer of Ziaur Rahman? May I ask, what was your fear? Were you involved?” This is the third public rally of the BNP chief since the 10th parliamentary elections. On May 28 she attended a rally in Munshiganj after one in Rajbarhi on Mar 1.