PM blasts BNP for inducting war criminals into committee

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today came down heavily on BNP for induction of war criminals and their children into the newly-formed committee of the party, saying that through this BNP has "cheated" with the nation.

"BNP has constituted its central committee with those who were tried and executed as war criminals ... BNP has also inducted the children of 1971 culprits and through it, the party has cheated with the entire nation, the three million martyrs, and two lakh mother and sisters who lost their honour during the War of Liberation," she said.

The prime minister made the remarks while unveiling the cover of a book named "Sradya and Bhalobasai Smaraniya Bangamata Fazilatun Nesa Mujib" at her official residence Gano Bhaban in Dhaka.

Bangladesh Awami Jubo League published the book on the occasion of 86th birth anniversary of Bangamata Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, the spouse of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The premier said BNP should see its constitution, how many members it has in its committee and what committee it constituted.

"What type of party BNP is which has no regulations and policy...seeing the committee, it seems that it is a gathering of vested persons, nothing else, what will they deliver to the nation," she posed a question.

The prime minister said it was General Zia who first rehabilitated war criminals by putting them into power. "His family is also doing the same work," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Ziaur Rahman destroyed the values of independence. He also stopped trial of the killers of Bangabandhu and rewarded them through posting in foreign missions.

The premier said after coming back to power after 21 years, the Awami League government tried the killers of Bangabandhu.

"When anybody seeks justice to me, a question was raised to me that I had to wait for 35 years for the trial of the killers of my parents and brothers," she said.