BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has completely distanced herself from party politics as she does not participate in any decision of the party, does not even meet the leaders and workers due to which now all the decisions of the party come from London.

Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman holds meetings with the top leaders of the party every week using digital media.

BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku told Bangladesh Pratidin, “The party is being managed properly. Begum Khaleda Zia will not comment on the statement of the law minister.”

Party’s Vice-chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said, “Khaleda Zia can't vote- such statement of the law minister is against the constitution. He said that Begum Zia's sentence has been mentioned in the so-called trial. The matter is sub judice and bailable. The Law Minister has misled the nation with such statements. Begum Zia was denied a fair trial.”

“There is no leadership vacuum in the party. Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman organized the party well. Movement accelerated. The ruling government is alarmed by BNP's movement.”

“We are continuing the agitation for fair elections with various demands including a non-partisan neutral government. The movement cannot be stopped for any reason,” he added.

Those concerned said that the free life and complete well-being of Khaleda Zia is the main priority of BNP. They want unconditional release for better treatment, not to involve her in politics.

Khaleda Zia was imprisoned since February 8, 2018 after being sentenced to 17 years in two cases by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

On March 25, 2020, she was released from prison after the government suspended his sentence under Section 401 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

After that, her release period was extended several times. 77-year-old Khaleda Zia has been suffering from various diseases including diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, liver cirrhosis, digestive system, kidney complications for a long time, according to her doctors.

She has been treated in the hospital several times due to various health complications.

Even though BNP is demanding about sending her abroad for treatment, the government has always been saying that there is no opportunity to send her abroad as she is on conditional release.

BNP's official position on the election is that they will not participate in the next election without a non-partisan, neutral caretaker government.

They are protesting on the basis of 10 points. They are thinking that they will win if the elections are held under a non-party government after winning the movement. BNP is also saying that if it wins, it will implement the 27-point state repair program with the national government.

But the election preparations are also being observed among BNP, which is agitating for a non-partisan, neutral caretaker government. But no one has a position outside the core group.

Party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is managing BNP from London. He is taking all the big and small decisions of the party by meeting on Skype with the party's standing committee once a week.

The leaders and workers of the party are also accepting it. There is no disagreement in the party about this. The party leaders think that there is no vacuum in BNP politics at the moment.

Khaleda Zia herself created an alternative leadership in the 2009 Council by electing Tarique Rahman to the post of Senior Vice Chairman, who now serves as Acting Chairman. BNP is running in an orderly manner under his leadership.

@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on February 23, 2023 and has been rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan.