Sheikh Mujib a failure: Tarique

Khaleda Zia's elder son and BNP's senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman has described Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's political career as a failure and said his father Ziaur Rahman succeeded in everything he did.

"Awami League leader Sheikh Mujib's 30-year political life is a failure, where as Ziaur Rahman succeeded in everything during his short political career of five years. He declared the independence," he said on Wednesday at a discussion in London.

The BNP leader has been living in the UK since 2008 after securing a bail from the Supreme Court.

"It took minutes for Sheik Mujib to kill democracy in the country in 1975; he disbanded his own party the Awami League. Sheikh Mujib gifted the nation a famine in 1974. People were insecure even when at home during his regime," he said.

Tarique claimed that Ziaur Rahman brought economic prosperity and political freedom after coming to power.

"Ziaur Rahman brought the country's economy out of the rut and introduced multi-party democracy. The rise in remittances and income from the garments exports started during his regime. The manpower export market in the Middle East had also opened during his time," said the BNP leader.

In his speech at the discussion marking the 33rd death anniversary of his father, Tarique rapped the RAB saying that it has become a  force to protect the Awami League.

Tarique reiterated her mother's demand to disband the elite police unit.

He said that RAB was created to check terrorism during the BNP's regime. And that the people got relief as the criminals were scared of the RAB.

" But, now when the Awami League is in power. It's the opposite. RAB is alleged of abducting and killing citizens for money from Awami League affiliated criminals.

"RAB has lost its credibility. It is now known as a force to protect Awami Leaguers. It's now the people's demand to disband  RAB, " he added.