BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said their party leaders and activists are ready to make any sacrifice on the streets to ensure Khaleda’s advanced treatment abroad.

“Khaleda Zia is inseparably linked with the soil of this country. We must free our leader and ensure her treatment abroad. We’re ready to make any sacrifice for it,” he said.

Speaking at a mass hunger strike programme, the BNP leader also threatened to launch a strong movement to oust the government if their demand is not met immediately.

Also read: Khaleda’s treatment abroad: Now BNP to hold rallies Monday

“From this programme, we would like to ask the government to take steps to immediately release our leader (Khaleda) and send her abroad for treatment. Or else, the movement that began today (Saturday) through the mass hunger strike will ensure your fall,” he said.

Fakhrul along with the party leaders and activists also took a vow raising their two hands that they would not return home leaving the movement unless Khaleda is completely freed and sent abroad for treatment.

As part of a countrywide programme, hundreds of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies began the hunger strike in front of their Nayapaltan central office at 9am, demanding that Khaleda Zia be allowed to go abroad for advanced treatment.

Fakhrul said Khaleda is so sick that she is now in a condition between death and life. “We talked to doctors, including those from abroad. They said she (Khaleda) has already been provided with the treatments that are possible in Bangladesh. But she won’t recover if she is not given treatment at an advanced centre abroad for some critical problems.”

He said the BNP chief’s family submitted an application seeking persimmon to send her abroad for the treatment, but the government turned it down. “Moreover, the leader of the house talked in such a language over the matter is not acceptable in any way. The law minister also resorted to lies.”

The BNP leader said the government has the complete authority to allow the BNP chief to go abroad as per section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedure (CrPC). “It’s their responsibility to take steps for her treatment outside the country.”

Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said it is unfortunate that BNP has to stage a hunger strike programme demanding the better treatment of Khaleda Zia who made contributions to the Liberation War, restoration of democracy and development of the country.

Also read: BNP can bring foreign physicians for Khaleda: Law Minister

He alleged that it is the government, not the law, is a barrier to the release of Khaleda Zia and her treatment abroad. “Khaleda Zia is fighting for life because of the political vengeance of the Prime Minister.”

The BNP leader called upon the government to accept their party’s demand for Khaleda’s treatment, shunning foul politics.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President ASM Abudr Rob said the government has the scope to send Khaleda Zia abroad for treatment. “I was sentenced to a life term in jail. But Ziaur Rahman sent me to Germany in 1979 from jail and I stayed there for a year.”

Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna slammed the government for not allowing ailing Khaleda to go abroad on humanitarian grounds.

He suggested BNP to continue the movement, braving all the barriers for ousting the government.

Later, BNP leaders broke the seven-hour hunger strike by sipping water offered by Dhaka University ex-Vice-chancellor Prof Anwarullah Chowdhury around 4pm.

Leaders of BNP’s alliance partners of the Jatiya Oikyafront and the 20-party also expressed solidarity with the party by joining the programme.