BNP on Tuesday alleged that the government is deliberately trying to obstruct the advanced treatment of its ailing chairperson Khaleda Zia.

“Our leader Khaleda Zia is currently seriously ill. When her family members submitted an application to send her abroad in May last, the law minister himself said Khaleda Zia's travel abroad was possible only if the conditions under which she was released were revised,” said party organising secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Naya Paltan central office, he said the law minister’s such remarks were published in various international media, including the BBC and Al-Jazeera, and also in the local media.

Also read: Khaleda has to seek presidential pardon to go abroad, says law minister

“But now he (the law minister) is saying it’s not possible to make a U-turn. It’s manifested that the government is deliberately obstructing the treatment of our leader,” the BNP leader said.

He criticised Information Minister Hasan Mahmud for his remark that the government needs to rethink about taking back Khaleda to jail, saying the minister issued such a threat as BNP is raising voice in favour of people at this difficult time of the country.

“The government is trying to hush up its failure to deceive people by spreading a smear campaign against the BNP and issuing the threat of jail and repression,” Prince observed.

Also read: BNP hits back at PM over her remarks on Zia, Khaleda

He said their party chief is not completely freed yet from jail as she is apparently in prison with various conditions. “The government is now trying to hamper her treatment with those conditions.”

Prince alleged that the police keep arresting BNP leaders and activists in different districts, including Chattogram, Mymensingh, Kishoreganj, and Bagerhat, amid the countrywide strict lockdown.

Stating that a day-labourer, Din Isalm, in Munshiganj's North Muktarpur killed himself out of hunger on Sunday, he alleged that the government is not providing necessary relief assistance to the poor and helpless people during the lockdown.

Also read: No reason to seek presidential clemency by Khaleda: BNP

Prince urged the government to ensure adequate food and financial assistance for low-income and jobless people affected by the lockdown, including public transport workers, hawkers, shop workers, small traders and day-labourers.

Refuting the ruling party leaders’ comment that many BNP leaders are trying to join Awami League, he said Awami League is now a ‘sinking’ ship. “No one wants to get on a sinking ship. Those who are passengers of the ‘sinking’ ship are making such comments to hide their failures. You'd rather see in the future how many people are jumping out of the sinking ship to save themselves.”