BNP Standing Committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan has said that despite being a national leader, Khaleda Zia built her political legacy on the streets alongside millions of supporters, not from any position of comfort or privilege.

Speaking at a prayer gathering organised by the Jatiyatabadi Palli Chikitshak Association in Nayapaltan seeking the BNP chief’s recovery on Wednesday, he said, “Khaleda Zia never practised palace politics. She walked the streets with her people.”

Moyeen Khan recalled that after the assassination of Ziaur Rahman, BNP supporters realised the nation needed Khaleda Zia to take charge. “From 1982 to 1992, she transformed from a housewife into a mass leader,” he said.

He noted that even during imprisonment and political repression under the Awami League government, Khaleda Zia remained steadfast. When party activists visited her in jail, she encouraged them to stay strong.

Despite knowing the charges against her were fabricated, Khaleda Zia still appeared before the courts out of respect for the rule of law, Moyeen Khan said.

“When we advised her not to go, she replied that her commitment to the law compelled her to stand before the court,” he recalled.

Criticising the Awami League, he said the party failed to engage in people-oriented politics, which is why its leadership “fled”.

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“Those who do politics for themselves eventually run away. I won’t mention names but the nation witnessed it on August 5 last year,” he said.

In contrast, Khaleda Zia braved pressure to secure people’s rights, and for that reason the nation remains deeply concerned about her health, he added.

Moyeen Khan accused the Awami League of targeting Ziaur Rahman’s legacy by persecuting rural medical practitioners he had empowered. The same vindictiveness, he said, was shown toward Khaleda Zia.

He sought prayers from the nation for the BNP chairperson and expressed hope that she will recover soon and return to public life.