Khaleda demands immediate release of archrival Hasina

Bangladeshs immediate past Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has demanded release of her arch political rival Sheikh Hasina, another former Prime Minister, detained by the army-led interim administration.

By Nazrul Islam

Dhaka, July 19 : Bangladesh's immediate past Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has demanded release of her arch political rival Sheikh Hasina, another former Prime Minister, detained by the army-led interim administration.

"I call upon for her release immediately...If there is any legal avenue to try the case filed against her keeping her free," Khaleda said in a statement issued on Wednesday, two days after Awami League chief Hasina was detained in an extortion case.

In her unusual statement, Khaleda, who is reportedly in the list to be detained as per the military-backed government's "minus two" formula, urged the government to uphold Hasina's rights to defend herself and getting legal aid.

"Accusation against anyone does not necessarily mean the person is a criminal. So, it is the duty of the administration and the government to ensure their due honour and dignity," she added.

Khaleda asked the government to ensure justice beyond doubts and human rights with scopes of defending themselves.

She observed that the administration has failed to uphold the dignity of Sheikh Hasina during producing her to court. "I am deeply shocked at the indecent and disgraceful situation she had faced at the court premises as a party chief, daughter of a national leader, a former Prime Minister, an elderly woman, and above all an honoured citizen of the country."

She added, "I think the sentiment of the conscious citizens has been hurt at this and the image of the government has also tarnished at home and abroad. Had the government more cautious and conscious, such situation could be avoided, I believe."

Hasina's arrest prompted protest in different parts of the country, including in the Capital, by her party activists who chanted anti-government slogans and asked the non-political government not to play with the country's political process.

In northern Rangpur district, the Jubo League, the youth front of the AL, has called a half-day general strike today to protest against the arrest.

Both Khaleda and Hasina received notices from the Anti-Corruption Commission asking them to submit statement on their wealth within a week as part of an anti-corruption drive launched by the interim regime under the current state of emergency.

Bangladesh's politics is sharply divided between Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party.

These two ladies fought a tough battle against a military dictator, HM Ershad, in the 1980s restoring successfully a democratic system of administration in early 1990s. They ruled the country since then. Khaleda was Prime Minister for two five-year terms while Hasina was for once.

They did not have talking terms for long time.

The rivalry was at the highest order when Khaleda handed over power to an interim government headed by President Iajuddin Ahmed for holding the general elections. Both sides were rigid on their positions- Khaleda to go with her plan to hold the election while Hasina boycotted it fearing rigging-- forcing a political turmoil that finally led the country into a state of emergency and take over of Fakhruddin Ahmed government.

The Fakhruddin government launched a so-called drive against corruption detaining more than 100 political leaders. Hasina was the last one in the series.

ANI