AL shrugs off BNP's threat

The ruling Awami League seems least bothered about the BNP's threat of a tougher movement for a fresh parliamentary election under a non-party caretaker administration.

AL stalwart and Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed yesterday questioned how a party that failed to stop the January 5 elections even after “burning down” people and “resorting to violence” would wage movement against an elected government.

Echoing Tofail's view, AL General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said the government was not worried about the BNP's agitations. "We hope the BNP would hold its demonstrations peacefully."

Both the leaders were talking with journalists at their secretariat offices.

Earlier, exchanging Eid greetings with diplomats and distinguished personalities on Tuesday, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said her party-led alliance would launch a “peaceful and democratic” movement to realise its demand for a fresh election to be overseen by a caretaker administration.

Yesterday, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the agitations would be massive and centred on the capital.

Talking to journalists at the party's Nayapaltan headquarters, he said the next course of action would be finalised after consulting the senior leaders of the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

Also, BNP Dhaka city chief Mirza Abbas said they were preparing for the movement keeping in mind the issues like abduction, murder and forced disappearance.

Talking with journalists at his residence in the capital, he added that the government would have to shoulder all responsibilities if it obstructs their movements.