Quader blames BNP; Fakhrul says ‘agents of govt’ did it
The Awami League and the BNP yesterday traded blame for Thursday's torching of nine buses at different places in the capital.
Since the buses were set on fire in a few hours, policemen said it could have been an attempted subversive act. Nobody was injured in any of the incidents.
AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said BNP activists set fire to the buses.
"Even during the humanitarian crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, they [BNP] have continued their destructive activities. The Awami League, along with the people, is ready to give a fitting reply to all of their terrorist acts," Quader told a press conference at AL President Sheikh Hasina's office in Dhanmondi.
Quader added that violence will not be tolerated.
"People have repeatedly shunned them because of their destructive activities and terrorist behaviors. It is their old habit to try to make petty political gains by establishing a reign of terror at the expense of people's lives and properties."
He added that the BNP' has a habit of blaming the government and the Election Commission when they get rejected by the people in an election. He then thanked the people for holding the by-elections in Dhaka-18 and Sirajganj-1 in a peaceful manner.
"Give me an example of vote rigging in the two by-elections. When will they give up doing politics with blatant lies? As long as they don't, they will keep becoming irrelevant to the people of Bangladesh."
On the other hand, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that the torching of buses was an "act of governments agents."
He said, "I want to say clearly that the BNP is not into the politics of destruction. Judging by the past experiences, the government agents have done this."
The aim of this act was to malign the BNP, he told reporters at the Dhaka Reporters Unity.
Fakhrul said what happened on Thursday was a heinous crime.
"I harshly condemned it. We do the politics of peaceful and systematic movement. These types of incidents take place when there is no democratic space in the country."
Since the rights to processions and rallies have been denied, miscreants take advantage and carry out such acts.
Asked whether Khaleda Zia is active in politics, Fakhrul said, "We think she is mentally active. Khaleda Zia has not left politics and she never will."
Fakhrul said the BNP was functioning under joint leadership.
"Our leader was behind the bars for more than two years. Our acting chairman is out of the country. Even in these trying times, our unity remains strong. Our party is run under the joint leadership."
Later in the day, at a press briefing at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office, Fakhrul said there will be demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday against the arrest of the party's leaders and activists and for cancellation of Dhaka-18 and Sirajganj-1 by-polls.
The BNP will demonstrate in front of Jatiya Press Club on Saturday and all the district towns on Sunday.