BNP says it’s against involving Army in controversy

In a statement, BNP joint secretary general Salahuddin Ahmed said, “The Prime Minister voicing her fear of capturing power by ‘Uttarpara’ on Sunday has undermined the state institution.”
He further said, ‘The Army, the pride of the country and the nation, has been discharging its duties with reputation. We don’t want to involve the national Army, the sentinel of the country’s independence and sovereignty, in any controversy.’
Earlier on Sunday, Sheikh Hasina alleged that BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has been carrying on her so-called movement for democracy, hoping that someone from ‘Uttarpara’ would place her in power as she does not believe in democracy.
‘We’ve restored democracy in the country, but now she (Khaleda) claims that she is on a movement for democracy. But, she’s looking towards the ‘Uttarpara’ as if someone from there would put her in power as you (Khaleda) don’t believe in democracy,’ the PM said while addressing a discussion meeting marking the International Mother Language Day in the city.
Reacting to the PM’s remarks, Salahuddin said BNP is a democratic party and it never recognised any undemocratic means. ‘The undemocratic forces had emerged in the country repeatedly due to Awami League’s autocratic, despotic, and aggressive attitude.’
He also alleged that it is Awami League which had welcomed the undemocratic forces on many occasions, including the ‘illegal takeover of power by Ershad in 1982 and by Moyeenuddin and Fakhruddin in 2007’.
The BNP leader said the current government is encouraging the undemocratic and extremist forces by snatching people’s democratic and political rights, stifling the media and the judiciary and using guns. ‘The government will be held responsible if the march of democracy is hampered again due to the consequences of its acts.’