Describing BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed’s disappearance as an act of “government’s cruelty”, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) President Dr Badruddoza Chowdhury on Monday said Salahuddin’s wife is cent percent sure that law enforcement agencies picked him up.

“Salahuddin’s wife is hundred percent sure that members of law-enforcement agencies picked Salahuddin up. A group of 14-15 people, identifying 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 March 10.

The former President along with his son, Mahi B Chowdhury, had been at BNP joint secretary general Salahuddin’s Gulshan residence in the capital at 11am to meet his wife Hasina Ahmed.

Urging the Prime Minister 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.

Before meeting Salahuddin’s wife, 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.”

Earlier on Thursday, Hasina Ahmed submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office seeking her intervention in tracing 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 March 10, 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 April 28 -- the Bikalpa Dhara 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.”

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

UNB/TF