DHAKA: Bangladesh’s opposition leader Khaleda Zia vowed on Friday to push on with her campaign to topple the government as she struck a defiant note in her first public appearance since being effectively confined to her office.

While Zia remains holed up at her headquarters in Dhaka, authorities allowed her to address the media for the first time since she called for anti-government protests and a transport blockade at the turn of the year, sparking a wave of violence that has killed more than 110 people. Khaleda, a two-time former premier, used the press conference to lash out at the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina whom she accused of turning the country into a one-party state by refusing her calls for new polls.

Know more: Turmoil in Bangladesh

“They have effectively created a one-party system in the country,” said the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader who refused to take part in elections in 2014 over fears they would be rigged.

“If we don’t fight against it, our freedom will be at stake... Our protests will continue until they reach logical conclusion."

“This crisis will end only after an inclusive election is organised quickly under a neutral and non-party government,” she added.

Published in Dawn March 14th , 2015

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