Khaleda biggest beneficiary of Zia killing: Hasan

Awami League (AL) Publicity and Publications Affairs Secretary and Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said on Saturday BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was the biggest beneficiary of the killing of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, reports BSS.

"It should be looked into whether BNP's top leaders were involved in Zia killing or not. Tarique Rahman's mother, Khaleda Zia, benefited the most from this killing," he told a discussion at Dhaka City South AL's office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city.

Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote organised the discussion with its vice-president and Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendro artiste Rafiqul Alam in the chair.

Former Food Minister and Awami League leader Advocate Qamrul Islam, former State Minister for Home Affairs Advocate Shamsul Haque Tuku, Dhaka City South AL General Secretary Shahe Alam Murad, Joint General Secretary Kamal Chowdhury and Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote General Secretary Arun Sarker Rana, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Dr Hasan said after the killing of Ziaur Rahman, his wife Khaled Zia became chairperson of BNP and served as prime minister of the country twice.

"Why didn't BNP try the killing of Ziaur Rahman? Khaleda Zia was premier twice. Why she did not file a case for the killing of Zia and did not run the case?" he questioned.

The minister said Ziaur Rahman had killed hundreds of army officers without any trial. Trial of those killings should be held, he added.

Dr Hasan underscored the need for formation of an investigation commission to unmask who were behind the scene perpetrators of the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Criticising BNP's acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, the minister said: "If you want to be a politician, you should not be afraid of jail. You should remain prepared to be arrested. If you fear, you cannot be a politician."

Referring to Awami League President Sheikh Hasina's arrest during the last caretaker government, Dr Hasan said she stayed beside the Bangalee nation for 38 years defying different obstacles and crisis.