AL urges BNP to pursue constructive politics

Some cabinet members and central leaders of the ruling Awami League (AL) Tuesday called upon the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to pursue constructive politics shunning the path of violence and destructive activities, reports BSS.
Speaking at a discussion to pay deep homage to senior AL presidium member Syeda Zohra Tajuddin, who breathed her last in the capital city recently, AL Advisory Council member and Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said those who collaborated with the occupation Pakistan forces in committing genocide in 1971 were the enemies of Bangladesh.
"They are the war criminals belonging to Jamaat-Shibir.  Democracy can't be established in the country forging alliance with them. So, take constructive steps in the greater interests of the country and its people and for safeguarding democracy," he said pointing at the BNP.
Awami Forum organised the discussion in memory of Syeda Zohra Tajuddin at the National Press Club here with its president Md Emran Chowdhury in the chair.
Railway Minister Md Mujibul Huq, Liberation War affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, senior journalist Shafiqur Rahman, vice- president of Book Publishers, Marketing and Sellers Association Kaiser-e-Alam Prodhan and general secretary of Awami Forum Mohammad Ali Chowdhury Manik spoke at the discussion, among others.
UNB adds: Mentioning the inclusion of Jamaat-e-Islami's student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir in a list of 2013's most active non-state armed groups, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed Tuesday said that the whole world wants BNP to sever ties with militants.
"BNP has forged alliance with militants. Now the whole world wants BNP to sever ties with militants. At the same time BNP leader Khaleda Zia said it is for them to decide with whom they forge alliance," he said.
According to a study titled Global Terrorism & Insurgency Attack Index 2013 by US-based defence think tank IHS Jane, the Islami Chhatra Shibir was the third most active non-state armed group around the world in 2013.
The veteran ruling party leader said that every day BNP leaders are delivering their speech in favour of militants groups.
Tofail added, "This is the party which has no principle. They took part in one election and boycotted another. BNP leaders through statement are claiming that Upazila polls are not being held fairly, on the other their supported candidates are winning. A party should have principle."
Tofail went on "By taking part in the upazila polls, BNP proved that they made a mistake by boycotting the national polls."
Railway Minister Mazibul Hoque and Liberation War affairs minister AKM Mozammel Haque, among others, addressed the occasion held with Bangladesh Awami Forum president Emran Chowdhuty in the chair.