Prime Minister’s Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam on Tuesday said it is time to think about declaring BNP illegal as it was formed by a military ruler during his ‘illegal’ regime. “BNP was formed by Ziaur Rahman during his military rule, while the Supreme Court has, by the time, announced his rule illegal. You must consider whether we’ll announce BNP illegal,” he told a seminar in the capital.
HT Imam said the BNP, which was formed by an illegal government, has no legitimacy.
Publicity and Publication Sub-Committee of Bangladesh Awami League organised the seminar titled, ‘Advancement of Democracy: Progress of One Year’ at the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh.
Speaking on the occasion, Imam said it is the people who believe in the sprit of the country’s Liberation War have the right to live in the country.
Taking a further dig into Zia’s BNP, the PM’s adviser said, “The root of BNP is actually Muslim League, so BNP leaders’ attitude will never change…those who remove fishplates of rail tracks and throw petrol bombs at buses to kill common people have no right to live in the country.”
HT Imam said Tarique Rahman is pulling the strings from London to instigate militancy in the country. “The government should put ressure on the British government to force him out of their country or hand him over to us.” Ruling out the possibility of restoring the caretaker government system, he said Sheikh Hasina had asked BNP well before the last parliamentary polls to join the interim government, but it did not. “BNP has made a political mistake (by boycotting polls). And people and the government will not take responsibility of their mistake.”
HT Imam said, it depends on the government when the next parliament polls will be held. “Polls may be held after five years or even before.”
He said, the government will not join any dialogue with a party which patronises militancy and war criminals. “If BNP wants to hold talks with the government, they must give an undertaking that they will part their company with war criminals and international terrorism.”
Speaking at the seminar, ex-minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said a quarter is out to destabilise the country through their destructive activities. “The quarter was trying to hinder the advancement of democracy by creating an unusual situation prior to the January-5 national polls and now are trying to do so,” he said.
Hasan Mahmud said the January-5 polls ensured the continuation of the constitution of governance. “If the January-5 election had not been held, the country’s democracy would have faced another impediment.”
Referring to the government’s achievements, he said Bangladesh has already achieved self-sufficiency in food and it for the first time started exporting rice to Sri Lanka.
Former minister Dipu Moni, security expert Maj Gen (retd) Abdur Rashid and professor of Dhaka University Dr Misbah Kamal, among others, spoke at the seminar.
Former Vice Chancellor of Chittagong University Prof Abdul Mannan presented the keynote paper at the seminar.
