Why are you not trying the architects of 1/11? Khaleda asks Hasina

BNP chief Khaleda Zia has asked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina why her government is not trying the ‘1/11 conspiracy’ that led the military-controlled caretaker government to take charge.

Former prime minister Khaleda threw the question at her arch political rival during a programme in her Gulshan office on Tuesday.

The BNP chief, for the first time, waded into the controversy triggered by The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam’s admission that he had run corruption reports against Hasina based on unverified input by DGFI during the caretaker government’s tenure.

Hasina is among the Awami League leaders who think the reports, aimed at banishing her from politics, led to her arrest.

The Daily Star also published such reports against a number of politicians, including Khaleda, who were also arrested.

Referring to Hasina’s comments in Parliament, Khaleda said, “If they are honest, if she (the prime minister) really means it, they will prove that she means it by catching the architects.”

After Anam’s admission, ministers and MPs have demanded his trial for his role in laying the ground for the undemocratic government to take power.

They have also demanded a commission to identify the architects of the much discussed and criticised 1/11 event.

Hasina on Monday lashed out at daily Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in Parliament, saying “they lied to have her arrested”.

In another recent programme, she said there was a conspiracy to banish her and Khaleda from politics at the time. Analysts call the conspiracy ‘Minus Two Formula’.

But, Khaleda has her doubts over the government’s sincerity in trying the conspirators.

“She (the prime minister) herself has spoken of the ‘Minus Two Formula’. If the two of us had worked together, then the 1/11 conspirators would not have had the courage to do anything,” Khaleda said.

“She has mentioned those who filed the cases (against politicians)...

“It was not Mahfuz Anam. He has already admitted it. A few others are still in the country. Why are they roaming free? Why aren’t they in jail?” Khaleda asked.

“Rumi (Major General Syed Fatemi Ahmed Rumi) was the then DGFI chief. He is in the country now,” she said.

“Masud (Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury) was in Australia. How many extensions was he given (as high commissioner)? By whom? This government. Why don’t you catch him even though he is in the country now?

“Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury was in the Anti Corruption Commission. I’ve heard that he is also in the country. He filed the cases. Why don’t you catch them?” Khaleda asked.

The BNP chief agreed with Awami League leaders that caretaker government was ‘illegal’, but criticised Hasina for once ‘supporting’ that government.

“She (Hasina) went to their (the caretaker government headed by Fakhruddin Ahmed) oath-taking ceremony. Everyone saw that. She told reporters that it was ‘the result of our (Awami League’s) movement’.

“It means she had it (1/11) done. She can’t be spared,” Khaleda said.

“It means she wants to come to power with the help of undemocratic government by destroying democracy. If you haven’t done something wrong, what fear do you have? She pleaded with them and got out of jail after 11 months.

“But I didn’t. I fought them (the architects of 1/11), told them ‘I won’t do as you please’. I have my own perspective. I told them I cannot betray the people of the country,” she said.

“So I didn’t leave the country and had to be in jail for a year and eight days. But she went abroad after her release from prison,” Khaleda added.