Awami League advisory council member Tofail Ahmed on Saturday accused BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman of instigating violence in the country through Jamaat-Shibir men.
“The elections must be held tomorrow (Sunday). No one can resist the polls,” he told a press conference at AL President’s Dhanmondi office.
Referring to a newspaper report, Tofail said Khaleda Zia has phoned the Jamaat leaders and instigated them to engage in violence.
He also claimed that the video message released by BNP senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman has also the elements of encouraging anti-liberation forces to unleash violence.
The AL leader also mentioned that Tarique is an accused in the August 21 grenade attack case.
Tofail, Industries, Housing and Public Works Minister of the polls-time government, said people did not support opposition’s ‘so-called’ movement to foil the 10th parliamentary elections to be held on Sunday.
“People have no attachment with their so-called movement. Even, you see, everything is normal today. And the election will be held tomorrow,” he said.
Tofail also said, “BNP-Jamaat has no strength to thwart the January 5 elections. The people of the country have already stood against this evil force.”
The AL leader also said the opposition had claimed that they would foil the polls and there would be mass upsurge in the country against the government. “Nothing has happened as people rejected their so-called movement.”
Tofail ruled out the notion in the public domain that BNP chairperson is under ‘house arrest’ and claimed that Khaleda is carrying out her routine works normally.
“If she is under house arrest, she couldn’t have met US Ambassador Dan Mozena and British High Commissioner Robert Gibson. She’s also issuing her statements. That means she’s free. She’s not under house arrest.”
Mentioning that there had been no lack of effort from the government side to bring the opposition to the election, Tofail said BNP did not take part in the polls as its ally Jamaat’s registration has been cancelled following a court order.
“The problem with BNP is that it only wants to join that election which will guarantee its victory, but nobody can give such guarantee,” he added.
Observing that there is no alternative to elections to maintain the democratic process by upholding the constitution, Tofail urged the people of the country to go to the polling centers and exercise their voting rights.
The AL leader urged BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia to shun the path of violence and return to the path of democratic practice and culture. “Don’t hinder the country’s peace, security, stability, development, prosperity and democratic continuation.”
AL leaders Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Dr Dipu Moni, Obaidul Quader, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, BM Mozammel, Bahauddin Nasim and Ahmed Hossain were, among others, present.
Source: UNBConnect
