Hannan Shah, Hafiz accuse each other of Zia killing

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In a new twist to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) politics, BNP chairperson's Adviser Hannan Shah and acting Secretary General Hafizuddin Ahmed accused each other of the killing of President Ziaur Rahman in 1981.
Both the BNP leaders also challenged each other Friday and promised to quit politics if the allegation was proved, reports UNB.
Hafiz and Hannan Shah threw the challenge and counter-challenge through media personnel who went to their respective houses as part of their regular reporting job.
Hafiz, recently appointed acting secretary general of the BNP by pro-reformist leaders, said it was heard in the army at that time that 'one of our leaders as a soldier helped General Manzur in implementing his plan'.
He said, "What we have seen on television, Hannan Shah, on behalf of General Manzur, had negotiated with the then army chief, General Ershad, in Dhaka."
Hannan Shah alleged recently that Hafiz as PS betrayed with army chief Ziaur Rahman. In response, Hafiz Friday said he was a staff officer at the army headquarters and he had no soldier under his command.
Responding to the allegation of Hafiz, Hannan Shah told journalists that he had no involvement in any activities relating to Zia's killing.
"If Hafiz can prove my involvement, I will quit politics", Hannan Shah said, adding that Hafiz would have to seek apology for his falsehood and quit politics too.
He said that after the killing of Zia, they brought his body to
Dhaka from Rangunia in Chittagong and handed the body over to the acting President.
"Had I been involved in the killing, I would have been tried in the army… there was no evidence against me", he added.