Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh president Dr Badruddoza Chowdhury on Monday claimed the ruling government should resign if they fail to find out Bangladesh Nationalist Party joint secretary general Salahuddin Ahmed.

The former president came up with the remark while visiting Salahuddin’s Gulshan residence to meet his wife Hasina Ahmed at about 11:00am.  

The BDB president said, ‘It’s the responsibility of the government to find out Salahuddin. It’s not only the government’s failure but also its cruelty. If the government fails to ensure security of every citizen, it should step down.’  

Describing BNP leader Salahuddin’s disappearance as an act of ‘government’s cruelty’, Badruddoza Chowdhury said Salahuddin’s wife is hundred percent sure that law enforcement agencies picked him up.

‘A group of 14-15 people, introducing themselves as members of Detective Branch (DB) picked Salahuddin up through their vehicle,’ he told reporters after meeting the family members of Salahuddin, who has remained missing since 10 March.  

Urging Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to give an appointment to Salahuddin’s wife to meet her soon, B Chowdhury said Hasina Ahmed appealed to meet the Prime Minister, but that went unheeded.   

‘If she (PM) doesn’t give appointment and talk (to Hasina Ahmed), turning down the appeal of the lady, then it could be said Salahduddin’s disappearance is part of politics,’ he said.  

Earlier on Thursday, Hasina Ahmed submitted a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office seeking her intervention to find out her missing husband.

BNP and Salahuddin’s family members have been claiming that law enforcers picked him up from a house of Uttara on the night of 10 March, an allegation denied by the law enforcers and the government.

About elections to three city corporations— Dhaka South City Corporation, Dhaka North City Corporation and Chittagong City Corporation, slated for 28 April— the former president aired doubt whether the polls will be held finally.

‘Calling the elections may be a trap to stop BNP’s movement and it may not be, but I’m still doubtful whether the elections will be held finally as the government may find it in difficult situation at one stage, he said.

B Chowdhury also expressed his doubt whether the corporation elections will be fair. ‘We’ve bitter experiences.’

He also urged the government to arrange the elections in a free and fair manner at least for removing the stigma of the 5-January lopsided parliamentary elections.