Bangladesh: Khaleda Zia will stand for elections, if fit, says BNP Secretary General Mirza

Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, has said that theformer Prime Minister andparty's ChairpersonKhaleda Zia and Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman will stand for elections if they are fit. Zia, who was released earlier this week is recovering in a hospital, while Rahmanhas been living in London and faces several cases against him in Bangladesh. Rahman is the son of Zia and has been leading the party operations from London.

Speaking to WION from Dhaka, the secretary general ofBNPsaid, "Why not? If they come back and fit to contest the elections, why not. Party chief has to stand for elections, they are fit physically. If she is fit to contest the elections physically. If she is physically fit, definitely and if Mr Tarique Rahman is fit, he will contest the elections".

The comments come at a time when the ousted PM SheikhHasina's governmentcollapsed followingwidespread protests in the country and an interim governmentled by Professor Muhammad Yunus took charge. Alamgir welcomed the Yunus-led governmentand said Bangladeshis have "benefited from his microcredit" policies, terming him a "capable man" to lead the country.

He spoke aboutthe current situation in his country and expressed optimism that thingsare goingback to normal. Condemning the attacks on Hindus,Alamgirsaid, "violence is not targeting the Hindu minorities. Residences of Awami leaguers have been attacked. This has been brought under control".

Immediately after Hasina fledBangladesh and resigned from the prime ministership of the country, widespread violence was seen in which minority Hindus were also targeted. India had expressed its concerns over such attacks on minorities.

When asked about ties with India, he pointed to his party's policy of having good ties with India. Alamgir said, "we have always said, we want to be friends with India, it is our biggest Neighbour. India is a good friend and a good neighbour".He also highlighted issues like water sharing between the twocountries. Alamgirassured that his party will not give space to anti-India insurgents on Bangladeshi territory.

BNP has been in power in Bangladesh in the past and is one of the twomajor politicalparties of the country, along with the Awami League.