The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) yesterday alleged that the trial of the cases filed against its chairperson Khaleda Zia is being held as part of the government’s ‘election project’ to cling to power keeping her out of the election race.
“The under trial cases against Zia are a major part of Awami League’s election project. The main motive behind the project is to keep our leader out of the next election. It’s also their process to grab power again,” said BNP senior leader Amir Chowdhury.
Khasru, a BNP standing committee member, said people will not accept if BNP chairperson is convicted in the graft cases as she has no connection with the allegations brought against her.
He urged the government to shelve its plan to restore ‘one-party rule’ and make Zia ineligible for polls by convicting her in the ‘false’ cases using the court.
“You’ll have to pay a heavy price if you follow the rough path as the people of Bangladesh have decided to make 2018 as a year of democracy, freedom of expression, the rule of law and restoration of civic rights,” the BNP leader observed.
About the results of the recently held election to Rangpur City Corporation, he said Awami League recorded 60% fall in its vote base while BNP gained a 40% rise in its vote in the polls. 
Khasru said the declining trend of Awami League’s vote ratio indicates that the party will suffer a massive debacle in the next general election if it is held in a fair and credible manner.
He said Jatiya Party mayoral candidate won the polls as Rangpur is a stronghold of the party. “All major parties have such pockets where their party will come out successful.”
In July 2008, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a graft case accusing Zia, her son Tarique Rahman and four others of misappropriating over 21mn taka that had come as grants to Zia Orphanage Trust from a foreign bank.
Three years later, the anti-graft body lodged Zia Charitable Trust graft case, accusing four people, including Zia, of abusing power to raise funds for the trust from unknown sources.
According to the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, the then prime minister Zia and the other accused through unlawful practices embezzled over 21mn taka by establishing the trust that exists only on paper.