BNP swipes at PM again for remarks against Zia

Taking a dig at the Prime Minster (PM) for her remark that Ziaur Rahman was involved in Bangabandhu murder, BNP senior leader Rafiqul Islam Miah Wednesday said Sheikh Hasina's 'indecent comment' about their party founder unprecedented in the world, reports UNB.

"There's no precedence in the world the way the head of a government made indecent statements against a former president," he said.

Rafiqul, also a BNP standing committee member, was addressing a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club organised by Dhaka city south unit of Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas), marking the 33rd death anniversary of Ziaur Rahman.

The BNP leader questioned about the Prime Minister's motive behind making such a claim after a long time. "Why didn't you make such a claim when you're in power in your two previous terms? Why didn't you come up with the claim if you have any document during your first term in power?

He said the country's people know it very well as to why the Prime Minister brought the issue abruptly.

The BNP leader claimed that the then Awami League leaders had killed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Accusing the government of carrying out false propaganda against Ziaur Rahman to tarnish his image, Rafiqul said falsehood is the base of Awami League politics.

Wondering that there might be connection between Zia's killing and Sheikh Hasina's homecoming, the BNP leader said Ziaur Rahman was killed only 13 days after Hasina had returned home. "Truth can never be buried, it'll surface one day."

He urged the BNP leader and activists to get ready imbued with the ideals of Ziaur Rahman to oust the current regime through a strong street movement.

Meanwhile, BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas said Wednesday there is no need for formalin to keep their party alive as it will keep going with people's love and support.

"BNP is a party drenched with people's affection. People's love for the party will remain forever. So, there's no need of formalin to keep BNP alive. Formalin won't work on us," he said.

Addressing a discussion, Abbas, also a BNP standing committee member, apparently came up with the remarks reacting to the Prime Minister's (PM) recent comment that they have kept BNP alive with formalin.

Sought her comment about BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's remarks that they were giving the government some time to rot fully, the PM at a press conference Saturday said, "It's they who are rotting. We're trying to keep BNP alive with formalin."

Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal arranged the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 33rd death anniversary of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman.

Accusing the government of hatching various plots against BNP to destroy it, Abbas said no conspiracy can obliterate BNP as it has strong public support.