Obaidul Quader makes striking remark: Fakhrul

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has asked why the Awami League government is not resigning since the party’s general secretary Obaidul Quader had said that they could hear the footsteps of 1/11.

“Obaidul Quader made a striking remark. He said he can hear footsteps of 1/11. So why do they remain in government? Why aren’t they resigning?” the BNP leader asked.

Mirza Fakhrul was speaking today, Friday, at a meeting organised at the National Press Club by factions Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ).

Responding to a comment made earlier by Obaidul Quader, who is also road transport and bridges minister, the BNP secretary general said that AL was the beneficiary of 1/11. He referred to the military-backed caretaker government takeover known as 1/11, saying, “AL was such a beneficiary of 1/11, that when their leader Sheikh Hasina went abroad at the time, she had said, ‘we will legitimise all activities of the Fakhruddin-Mainuddin government’. And they did so, passing a law in parliament.”

Criticising the prime minister’s comment on BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, Mirza Fakhrul said, “How could the prime minister forcefully link Khaleda Zia with the 1975 incident? She linked Ziaur Rahman with the incident. She says whatever she pleases. All we want to say to her is, you are a politician and you hold the reins of the state. It does not befit you to speak in this manner, but this is your habit.”

He said they condemned such statements and called upon the prime minister to stop speaking in this manner.”

Mirza Fakhrul said that BNP has supported the students’ movement from day one and they continued in their support. He said BNP would express its support for the quota reform movement and the movement for safe roads. He said, “We will call on the people to come forward not just for safe roads, but for a safe Bangladesh.”

Also addressing the gathering were Ganashastha Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury, Nagorik Oikya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of a faction of BFUJ Ruhul Amin Gazi and others.