Govt trying to obstruct BNP reform

The government is filing cases and charges against BNP chief Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman to obstruct reform in the organisation, party leaders alleged yesterday.    

"We denounce the government's move. We call upon the administration to shun its vengeful tactic and vindictive attitude," said BNP spokesman Asaduzzaman Ripon.

Addressing journalists at the Nayapaltan office, he said pressing charges against the BNP chief and Senior Vice Chairman Tarique in "false cases" was tantamount to attacking the political etiquette.

The BNP leader pointed to Tuesday's filing of a charge sheet in Gazipur against Tarique and 31 other BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami men in an arson case filed in January.

Ripon said the charges were imaginary, false and fabricated, and the government filed those only to satisfy its vengeful instincts; there was not an iota of truth in the charges.

The government is also suing Khaleda Zia, making her the mastermind, he said in a statement.

Separately, BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said the ruling Awami League always sued BNP men, whenever the party tried to reform itself.

He made the comment at a discussion at the capital's Jatiya Press Club, organised to mark the 26th founding anniversary of the Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal.

He demanded a stop to suing of the party people and release of those detained.

Referring to the High Court's ban on publishing and airing of Tarique's statement and speech in media, Ripon said he was stripped of his constitutional right to freedom of expression.

 Tarique cannot protest the government's "plot" to malign him by bringing false and misleading allegations, the spokesperson said.

"Under the circumstances, we fear that the trial in the case will be lopsided, and he (Tarique) may not get justice."