AL talking about Zia’s regime to divert people’s attention: BNP

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said that the ruling party is talking about Ziaur Rahman’s regime deliberately to divert people’s attention from the observations of the 16th constitutional amendment verdict.

“Its Awami League’s political policy to divert people’s attention from burning issue,” Fakhrul came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after placing wreaths at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman's grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar of Dhaka this noon.

Responding to Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader’s comment on BNP’s silence over the Supreme Court observations in the 16th constitutional amendment verdict of Ziaur Rahman’s role, Fakhrul said Awami League will also be illegal if Ziaur Rahman's rule is considered illegitimate.

“There's no question about the legality of Ziaur Rahman’s rule. Introduction of multiparty democracy and restoration of people's rights to speak freely and press freedom can't be illegal. Even, Awai League registered as a political party following due rules during Ziau Rahman’s rule,” he said.

The BNP leader also said AL contested parliamentary elections and it is still carrying out its political activities with the registration it got during Ziaur Rahman's rule.

Referring to the observation made in the 16th amendment verdict that dubbed Ziaur Rahman's power grabbing illegal, Quader on Friday thanked Fakhrul for remaining silent in this regard.

Fakhrul said the country's people have got worried as the government is frequently putting pressure on the chief justice to change the 16th amendment verdict.

"They want to obliterate independence of the judiciary and destroy the fundamental democratic structures of the state. Awami League’s main target is to reestablish its one-party rule by destroying democracy,” he said.

Fakhrul also criticised the chief election commissioner for his inability to forge unity among political parties and said it is also not the duty of the commission to act in line with the government orders.

The BNP leader said it is the responsibility of the commission to ensure a congenial environment so that all the political parties can take part in the election and all the voters can exercise their right to vote freely.

Govt failed to stand beside flood victims

Fakhrul said the government has totally failed to face the flood situation and ensure adequate relief materials for the victims to shoulder their sufferings.

Rejecting AL’s claim that BNP did not do anything but photo session, he said, “We first began relief materials distribution among flood victims. We've formed a relief committee and providing foods among the victims as per our capacity.”