Dhaka, Nov. 29 -- Senior BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina made every effort to push BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to death.

Speaking at an event in Hathazari on Saturday, the senior joint secretary said Hasina considered Khaleda as "a thorn in her path".

Rizvi drew attention to Khaleda's current health condition, saying: "Since [Friday] we have heard her condition is critical. Our leader, who has safeguarded democracy, independence, sovereignty, and the rights of the people, has never left the country or abandoned her people.

"Despite threats from Moinuddin-Fakhruddin and Hasina's conspiracies, she has remained on the soil of her country. May Allah grant her good health, and I ask you all to pray ...