Criticising Prime Minister's recent statement over BNP and war criminals, the party's senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday claimed the ruling party has a bigger number of people with anti-liberation mindset.
Disclosing a list of 22 war criminals belonging to the Awami League at a press briefing at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, he said the incumbent government has accomplished trial of a dozen of war criminals but it keeps mum regarding the anti-liberation people who still exist in the party.
"It has many people who were actively involved in crimes against humanity during the Liberation War. The criminals and their successors have become senior leaders of the party and some of them are contesting the national polls," he alleged.
The Prime Minister at an election rally in Sylhet on Saturday blasted the BNP for giving nomination to the war criminals and severely criticised the party for patronising corruption and militancy during its rule.
Mr Rizvi said the disclosed war criminals and their families had direct involvement in war crimes in 1971 but they became pro-liberation forces after joining the Awami League.
About corruption, he said the PM did not talk about the money looted from the country's banking system.
"Who looted the banks? Where does the liquidity go? Who looted the share market?," he posed a series of questions.
Mentioning statements of some ministers about the graft, he said the education minister had instructed the public officials to take bribes at a tolerable level because of the intensified culture of graft.
The names that BNP unveiled as war criminals from the Awami League camp include: Advocate Kamrul Islam, Lt Col (retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan, Engr. Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Advocate Moslem Uddin, Kazi Zafarullah, Moosa Bin Shamsher, Mirza Golam Kashem, HN Ashiqur Rahman, Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir, Maulana Nurul Islam, Majibur Rahman Hawlader, Abdul Barek Hawlader, Malek Daria, Mohon Mia, Munshi Razzab Ali Daria, Azizul Haq, Rezaul Hawlader, Bahadur Hazra, Advocate Delwar Hossain Sarder, Hashem Sarder and Abdul Kaiyum Munshi.
UNB adds: BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged on Sunday Awami League (AL)-led government has victimised people of every house with cases instead of giving them jobs as per its commitment.
"So, there's no alternative to bringing a change in the government through casting your vote for 'Sheaf of Paddy,' he told an election rally at Akhanagar in Sadar upazila of Thakurgaon.
The BNP leader said his party wants the government to be changed through a peaceful and credible election. "But, Awami League wants to retain power by intimidating people with repressive acts and filing cases against them by police."
He warned the government that it cannot stay in power for a long time by repressing and intimidating people, and filing cases against them.
The BNP secretary general called upon the officials of police and civil administration to work neutrally so that people can exercise their franchise in a peaceful ad congenial atmosphere.
Fakhrul, a candidate of Thakurgaon-1 seat, urged the voters to cast their ballots for 'Sheaf of paddy' to ensure BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's release from jail and real development of the country and its people.
He promised the farmers will get the fair prices of their produces while the unemployed youths allowances if BNP and its alliance partners are voted to power.
The BNP leader said they, if voted to power, will create a separate ministry for the minority community members to ensure their welfare.
[email protected]
