Politics heats up over Feb 8 verdict

The political situation in the country has suddenly become heated centering February 8 verdict in the Zia orphanage graft case against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, her son Tarique Rahman and four others.

Leaders of Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the two major political parties of Bangladesh are engaged in a war of words, hurling warnings and threats at each other centering the matter.

Warning BNP men on February 8, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said that action will be taken if they(BNP) create “chaos and go for destructive activities” centering the verdict in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case filed against BNP Chief Khaleda Zia.

They will act accordingly if chaotic situation is created affecting people’s interest, he added while talking to reporters after attending a programme at Dhakeshwari Mandir (temple) in Dhaka on Friday.

On the other hand, BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on the day warned that his party will go for a tough movement if verdict in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case is given in line with government directive.

“An oust-government movement will be started if any negative verdict in line with the government directive is given against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia,” he said.

Gayeshwar came up with the warning while addressing a programme at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital on the day.

In an another programme, Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque termed BNP as a responsible political party and said that it would not go for any subversive activities after the verdict.

“I believe the party will not go for any programme over the verdict deteriorating the country’s law and order situation,” IGP Shahidul said while talking to newsmen in Mirpur area of Dhaka.

Responding to a query over the threat, the IGP said, “There is a legal process in this regard. The party can go for filing an appeal petition if they don’t accept the verdict.” 

Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of the Special Judge Court-5 in Dhaka on Thursday fixed February 8 to announce the judgement in the corruption case against Khaleda, her son Tarique Rahman and four others as the defence counsels completed their 16-day closing arguments in presence of Khaleda.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the graft case with Ramna Police Station in July 2008, accusing Khaleda and five others of misappropriating over Tk 2.1 crore that had come from a foreign bank as grants for orphans.