‘Where do Sarjis, Nahid get money?’ questions BNP leader Rashed Khan

Former Gono Odhikar Parishad leader claims BNP or Jamaat had no role in a US trade deal

BNP leader Rashed Khan has questioned the income sources of National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders Sarjis Alam and Nahid Islam, alleging that the party gets money from extortion.

Speaking at a press conference in Jhenaidah on Wednesday, Rashed raised sharp allegations over NCP funding and US trade deal.

Rashed, who joined the BNP from Gono Odhikar Parishad ahead of the Feb 12 election, said: “Anee (Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury) is making sacrifices for Qurbani, but [NCP leaders are] asking questions.

“Yet [NCP leaders] are paying hundreds of thousands of taka in rent for an office in Rupayan (Rupayan Tower in Banglamotor), where is that money coming from?

“Nasiruddin Patwary travels around in cars with protocol. Where does he get the money from? What are the income sources of Sarjis Alam and Nahid Islam?”

He also said, “The BNP or Jamaat-e-Islami had no role in the US trade deal. This deal was done by the NCP.”

Criticising NCP leader Patwary, Rashed said: “Ignoring political etiquette, Patwary is speaking nonsense ... During his Jhenaidah visit, he came with armed cadres. No Jubo Dal members attacked him.”

Rashed also criticised Jamaat.

“Jamaat will never come to power in this country. They are an anti-independence force. They have always acted as collaborators of undemocratic and authoritarian regimes.

“Now they are trying to threaten the fall of a BNP government. Jamaat and NCP have started a conspiracy. The people of this country will no longer accept this evil force.”