Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has launched a broadside against the government, assailing it for what he termed its “baseless statement” that the party’s senior vice chairman, Tarique Rahman, had furnished a bail bond before leaving the country. Alamgir urged the government to make the written obligation public before the nation.
Alamgir made the statement at a press conference held at party chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office in the capital on Friday evening. “The government is spreading propaganda in a bid to defeat its political opponent. The government should make public as to when and before whom Tarique Rahman had signed the bail bond during the tenure of the last caretaker government,” Alamgir said.
Meanwhile on Friday, Home Minister MK Alamgir clarified the government statement on the issue saying that as per the conditions of the bond, the BNP senior vice-chairman was not supposed to take part in any political programme while staying overseas.
“By attending a political meeting in London recently, Tarique Rahman has violated the promise he made in his bond,” the home minister said adding that the government is taking necessary measures under the law, against him in this regard.
Vested quarters are hatching a conspiracy to damage the political goodwill of Tarique Rahman in a planned way, he alleged, and urged the interest group to refrain from spreading such propaganda as Tarique Rahman will be the next leader of the nation.
Responding to a query, he said his party was not interested in taking part in any elections, including the City Corporation polls, under the incumbent election commissioner. The BNP is not extending any support to any candidate ahead of the City Corporation elections, he added.
BNP leaders Abdul Moeen Khan, M Osman Farroque and others were present at the press briefing.
Earlier, Alamgir accused the government of tarnishing the political image of the party’s senior vice chairman, Tarique Rahman, saying that efforts were being made to create a leadership vacuum in nationalist party politics.
“The ruling Awami League is engaged in spreading propaganda against the party chairperson Khaleda Zia and its senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman. This is aimed at creating a leadership vacuum in the party’s politics,” he claimed.
He was speaking to reporters at his Uttara residence in the capital on Friday.
Following a programme at Diploma Engineers’ Institute in the capital on Friday, home minister MK Alamgir told journalists that Tarique Rahman left for London to facilitate his treatment after signing a bond that he would not take part in any political meeting, gathering or rally there.
“In doing so, he (Tarique) has violated the promise he had made a few days ago,” the home minister said, adding that the country’s judiciary is taking legal measures against him in this regard.
Alamgir criticised the home minister for such a statement and said Tarique Rahman is a politician and is now undergoing treatment abroad. He left the country during the previous 1/11 changeover without furnishing any bond before anyone, he added.
He also said that the government has failed to substantiate the allegations levelled against Tarique Rahman. Now, it is trying to spread propaganda against him in a planned manner to tarnish his political image, he added.
The BNP leader alleged that the government is making misleading statements about the caretaker government
(CG) issue.
“We were interested in sitting across the table without any agenda. But the government did not pay any attention to us. Now, we are determined not to hold any talks with the government unless the CG issue is accepted as the main agenda,” he added.
In a separate programme, BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed said the countrymen will pave the way for the homecoming of Tarique Rahman when it is needed. “There is no need to issue an arrest warrant against Tarique Rahman. Intervention of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to bring him back will also be worthless, as the countrymen will decide the time to invite him back to Bangladesh,” he added.
He was addressing a discussion, organised by the National Research Foundation at the National Press Club.
Moudud said at least 15 cases were lodged against Tarique Rahman after the 1/11 changeover, but the government has failed to prove any
of them.
-With The Independent input
