BNP standing committee member ASM Hannan Shah on Sunday claimed that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had wanted to be Pakistan’s Prime Minister instead of liberating the country.
“Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had wanted to be the Prime Minister of Pakistan. That’s why he had uttered ‘joi Pakistan’ at the end of his March-7 speech,” he said.
Hannan Shah was addressing a discussion organised by Free Thinkers’ Forum at the Jatiya Press Club.The BNP leader alleged that the ruling party leaders are hurling abuses at Deputy Chief of the Liberation Forces AK Khandker as he revealed the truth in his book. In his book, ‘1971: Bhetore Baire’ published recently, AK Khandker claimed that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman concluded his historic March 7 speech in 1971 saying ‘joi Pakistan, drawing severe criticisms from the ruling party.
Describing AK Khandker as a very brave and gentle man, Hannan Shah thanked him for presenting the true history in his book. “Awami League is afraid of truth. They now can’t tolerate AK Khandker as he boldly unveiled the facts,” he said.
Hannan Shah, an army-officer-turned politician, accused the government of trying to reestablish one-party Baksal rule. “The Prime Minister has clearly said she would complete her father’s unfinished work. We know Bangabandhu had failed to establish Baksal. So, Awami League is working now to establishing Baksal.” Calling Jatiya Samjtantrik Dal a militant outfit, Hannan said Awami League is patronising militancy by taking it into the cabinet.
“Those known as terrorist outfits after the independence are now running the country.”
Another BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahabur Rahman criticised the government for withdrawing its candidature for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council saying it will be a tainted chapter in Bangladesh history.
The government cannot take the decision on its own without discussing it with people, he claimed.
