PM terms BNP 'illegal party'

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday termed BNP an “illegal party” founded by a military ruler who had grabbed power illegally.
“It's unfortunate for the people of Bangladesh that they have to hear theories from those who have been illegal,” she told the newly elected upazila parishad representatives at Gono Bhaban.
The higher court has declared illegal the rule of Ziaur Rahman who had grabbed power illegally and formed his party BNP, said the PM. “So, a party formed by such an illegal grabber of power is also illegal,” she argued.
Hasina, also the Awami League president, was addressing the newly elected upazila chairmen, vice-chairmen and female vice-chairmen.
Referring to the recent comments made by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, her son Tarique Rahman and top BNP leaders, the PM said it was unfortunate for the people that they have to hear theories about the country's history of independence from those who belong to an unlawful party.
Tarique, she noted, has been a fugitive since he had left the country following the 1/11 changeover giving an undertaking. “Living abroad as a fugitive, he is now making irrational comments deliberately,” she complained.
The PM also accused Tarique of plotting the August 21 grenade attack on her rally that had killed Ivy Rahman and many others. “Now attempts are being made to malign those who have earned the country's independence through the Liberation War.”
Blasting the BNP and Jamaat, Hasina said these parties do not believe in the country's independence.
“Had they believed in our independence, they couldn't try to distort the real history of the country's independence through making illogical claims,” she mentioned.
The AL chief said Khaleda Zia could not pass the matriculation exams, Tarique failed in HSC exams and Ziaur Rahman had joined the Army after only passing matriculation exams.
“With this limited knowledge they are trying to confuse people about the country's constitution, its history, the proclamation of independence, the country's first president and prime minister,” added Hasina.
Refuting the recent comments by Tarique, the prime minister stated that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the first president of Bangladesh, while Tajuddin Ahmed was the first prime minister and Syed Nazrul Islam was the first vice president.
On the recently held upazila polls, she said the elections proved that her government could hold it fairly.
“The upazila parishad elections were held in a free, fair and neutral manner as there were winning candidates from the AL, BNP and Jamaat," she noted.
Chairman of Tungipara Upazila Parishad Gazi Golam Mostafa, Vice-chairman Ashim Kumar Biswas and woman Vice-chairman Afsana Begum Mimi spoke at the function.