BNP denies link with Hizb-ut-Tahrir

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday asserted that his party does not believe in “army coup” and even do not know Hizb-ut-Tahrir, a banned Islamist outfit.
“When the people have started to express their support to Khaleda Zia by making her programmes successful, the government is making the army controversial only to divert their attention,” Fakhrul told a rally in front of BNP central office in Naya Paltan.
Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, youth front of BNP, organised the rally to mark the 76th birth anniversary of party founder late president Ziaur Rahman. The birthday was observed on Thursday.
Criticising some recent remarks made by several Awami League leaders implicating BNP and Hizb-ut-Tahrir with a plot to overthrow the government, Fakhrul said, “Though we even don't know Hizb-ut-Tahrir, the ruling party leaders have found similarity between Hizb-ut-Tahrir and BNP. Interestingly the Indian media are singing the same song against BNP and that is why it is clear to the people who were behind the plot.”
The government has staged a drama in the name of holding a dialogue as they have already finalised the names of the next election commissioners according to their plan, he added.
“Everything was fixed beforehand. We knew that the government will do it. But we joined the dialogue as we believe in democracy and also to honour the president as he is a respectable gentleman,” maintained the BNP leader.
In response to allegations made by some AL leaders, Fakhrul said late president Ziaur Rahman did not lead any army coup and BNP came to power for four times through elections. “Awami League leader Khandaker Mushtaq Ahmed had proclaimed the first martial law in the country after killing party leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.”
He further mentioned that the country is passing through a critical period as the government has failed absolutely to run the country. “They should quit power only for their failure to manage the share market. Though 33 lakh small investors have lost everything, the government couldn't do anything for them in the last 14 months,” he pointed out.
Party leaders Nazrul Islam Khan, Barkat Ullah Bulu, among others, addressed the rally, with Jubo Dal President Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal in the chair.
Bangladesh Army on Thursday declared that it has foiled a “coup” attempt to overthrow the government. It claimed that a band of mid-ranking officers and their retired colleagues was involved in the failed putsch.