Dhaka: BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today praised Begum Khaleda Zia for elevating politics to a moral high ground, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling commitments made to the people. Rizvi stated that politics should not involve deception or false promises, but rather the implementation of promises made to the people.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizvi made these remarks at a prayer and condolence meeting for the former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, held at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka. The event was organized by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ).
During his speech, Rizvi highlighted Khaleda Zia’s relationship with the press, noting her ideological and personal ties to the newspaper industry, which he attributed to her husband, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman’s initiatives in promoting multi-party democracy and freedom of expression. He described Khaleda Zia as having continued this legacy, fostering strong ties with journalists and the media.
Rizvi also addressed the public’s reaction to Khaleda Zia’s passing, describing the nationwide expression of grief as spontaneous and a testament to her contributions to society. He likened her to a ‘giant tree’ providing shelter and guidance, which is now missed.
He further praised Khaleda Zia’s patience and refined demeanor, particularly in response to harsh criticisms from political opponents. Rizvi recounted an incident from 2017 when Khaleda Zia returned to Bangladesh from London despite political challenges, driven by her commitment to the country and its people.
Rizvi raised concerns about Khaleda Zia’s medical treatment, alleging that she was denied advanced care while imprisoned, which raised public suspicion about her treatment’s adequacy.
In addressing criticisms of the BNP, Rizvi defended the party’s resilience despite efforts to undermine it, crediting Khaleda Zia’s leadership for its endurance. He reiterated her legacy of political morality, emphasizing her commitment to keeping promises to the people, which he described as central to her political ethos.