LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam has said BNP chief Khaleda Zia will not be able to gain power by lobbying with foreign countries.
Published : 21 Jan 2014, 06:15 PM
Ashraf, also the ruling Awami League General Secretary, claimed Khaleda had ‘lied’ over the joint forces’ drive in Satkhira.
He demanded the BNP Chairperson apologise for her remark which, he said, was tantamount to sedition.
Khaleda on Monday made her first public appearance after the Jan 5 polls, boycotted by her party and allies. She urged the government to hold a fresh election after a dialogue.
The BNP had submitted a report on the polls to foreign diplomats, claiming voters had ‘rejected’ the elections.
“It is not a very pleasant matter for Bangladesh’s politics that Khaleda Zia has surrendered to foreign envoys,” Ashraf said.
“The diplomats do not have the power to alter political power in Bangladesh. No one can do that,” he said at a press briefing in Dhaka, reacting to Khaleda’s statement at Monday’s rally.
Many countries have expressed ‘frustration’ over the Jan 5 polls and appealed for fresh elections joined by all parties.
The LGRD Minister said his party attached no importance to foreigners talking about Bangladesh’s internal politics.
About Khaleda’s remark on the Satkhira drive, Ashraf said: “She must withdraw her statement within 24 hours and apologise to the nation.”
The joint forces have recently launched a drive in Satkhira, plagued by violence since war crimes verdicts started coming.
Bengali newspaper Daily Inqilab claimed in a reports that Indian forces were taking part in the operation.
Inqilab was founded by late Abdul Mannan, who is widely known to have sided with the Pakistan army during Bangladesh’s Liberation War.
Police have arrested three journalists of the newspaper and sealed its printing press.
Inqilab has since apologised for the report.
Khaleda had criticised the shutting down of the paper.
“The joint forces are torturing the ordinary people in a small place like Satkhira, killing our mothers and sisters.
“Nobody can say for sure if only joint the forces were there in the Satkhira operation. People have doubts (about it),” Khaleda had told the rally.
“The government should have clarified whether the news was true or false before closing down the newspaper. It has been shut without giving proper clarification,” she said.
Ashraf on Tuesday retorted: “Does she want war with another country? It’s a matter of shame if she does.”
The Awami League General Secretary believes measures should be taken against the BNP chief for her ‘seditious’ remarks.