BNP yesterday alleged that the ruling party is celebrating its victory to divert people's attention from "vote rigging" in the December 30 election.

“They [AL] are celebrating the victory to hide the moral defeat they suffered in the election as well as to divert people's attention to a different direction,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Fakhrul made the remarks while talking to reporters after placing a wreath at their party founder Ziaur Rahman's grave in the city, marking his 83rd birth anniversary.

 “Awami League suffered a serious defeat on December 30, as they've become isolated from people,” he said.

Fakhrul alleged that Awami League has little respect for democracy, although they often talk about it.

He also said Awami League had established one-party rule "Baksal" in 1975 banning all political parties and snatching people's freedom of expression, as the party does not believe in democracy.

“On the birthday of the party founding president, we're vowing afresh to free democracy and our chairperson Kahleda Zia from jail and bring back home our acting chairman Tarique Rahman and reestablish democracy,” he said.

NO RIFT IN OIKYAFRONT

Although different media are running stories on "conflicts" among Oikyfront leaders, there is no rift in their alliance, claimed the senior BNP leader.

“Oikyafront and the 20-party are united. We believe the government now in power must be defeated by people,” Fakhrul said. There is also no misunderstanding among senior leaders of BNP, Fakhrul claimed.

BNP leaders and activists, led by its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, placed wreaths at Zia's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar grave around 10am.

Later, they offered prayers there seeking salvation of Zia's departed soul.