Law Minister Anisul Haq said no politically motivated case has been registered against BNP leaders and workers. To what extent are his comments valid? BNP leaders claimed that the government registered cases and arrested their leaders and workers one after another before the elections to oust them from the elections. Those who are pointing to the legitimacy of political cases and claiming that the allegations made by members of law enforcement agencies are true had faced similar harassment while in opposition.
It is not believable that a general secretary of a party would order a police attack to thwart a party rally. The government alleges that the BNP leadership tried to sabotage the election, but the election took place. A new government has been formed. The session of the new Parliament is about to begin. In such a situation, why would leaders and activists facing allegations without any specific evidence remain in custody?
We also heard policymakers from the new government talk about the political, global and economic challenges ahead. Western countries that expressed interest in working with the new government also expressed concern over the arrests of opposition leaders and activists. At least the government can try to create an environment of political stability by releasing the leaders and workers of the opposition parties.