Leaders of other parties involved in anti-govt plot

Apart from BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury, several leaders of other political parties are also involved in a conspiracy against the government, according to Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.

“They had an attempt to hatch a plot to destabilise the country [Bangladesh] and make the government face a challenge,” he said while talking to reporters at his house in Dhanmondi in the capital yesterday.

“We have got many things [information] that perhaps would surprise many.”

Replying to a query, he said, “You see, money is exchanged in such cases”. “Now we will do our investigations and inform you later.”

On Thursday, police filed a sedition case with Gulshan Police Station against Aslam for allegedly hatching a conspiracy with Israel's Likud Party and Mossad to oust the government.

Later, AKM Shahidul Hoque, inspector general of police, said Aslam had a financial contract with Likud Party politician Mendi N Safadi for trying to topple the government. Police had information on Aslam's link with the plot.

Known to be a trusted lieutenant of BNP's Senior Vice-chairman Tarique Rahman, Chittagong-based businessman Aslam came under severe criticism both in and outside the party after several photographs, showing him with Safadi, also chief of Israel's International Diplomacy and Public Relations, went viral on social media.

The two had met in India.

Aslam, also BNP joint secretary general, was picked up by detectives from the capital's Khilkhet on May 15, hours after a travel ban was imposed on him.

He was taken on remand after being shown arrested under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Following his arrest, several Awami League leaders alleged that the BNP was conspiring to topple the government with the help of Mossad.

The BNP, however, termed the allegation “a cooked-up story”. Aslam said he met Safadi “accidentally”.