Dhaka: BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday stated that the nation will never forget the contributions of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, describing her as a towering figure who remained a source of strength and shelter for the people until her death. Rizvi praised her legacy, likening her to a giant tree providing shade to the nation, ensuring that her memory will remain forever alive in the hearts of the people.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Rizvi, who has recently been inducted into the BNP Standing Committee, made these remarks during a doa and milad mahfil organised by the Bangladesh Nationalist Lawyers Forum at the Supreme Court in the capital, marking Khaleda Zia’s 81st birth anniversary. He highlighted the hardships Khaleda Zia endured, including arrests and oppression, while criticizing the government for neglecting her deteriorating health during her imprisonment.
The BNP leader accused the Awami League government of being fascist, stating that they did not provide Khaleda Zia with proper treatment during her imprisonment and the political crisis of the 1/11 episode. He emphasized that BNP leaders and activists were fortified by Khaleda Zia’s resilience, despite facing arrests, cases, remand, and interrogation by the then government.
Rizvi further elaborated on Khaleda Zia’s political career, noting an ‘extraordinary and unprecedented’ consistency between her words and actions, which contributed to her enduring legacy. He recalled her victory in the first fair, free, and inclusive election in 1991 as a testament to the people’s allegiance to her leadership.
He asserted that Khaleda Zia never wavered in her commitment to the country’s independence and sovereignty, both in power and in opposition. Highlighting her international efforts, Rizvi mentioned her advocacy for Bangladesh’s rightful share of the Ganges waters at the United Nations during her tenure as prime minister.
Rizvi also commended Khaleda Zia for her initiatives in education, particularly for introducing free education for girls up to the intermediate level, with a promise to extend it to the bachelor’s level if she returned to power. He concluded by asserting that Khaleda Zia will remain immortal in the nation’s memory for her commitments to independence and sovereignty, democracy, and the rule of law.