Zia grabbed the state power by violating the constitution, says PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said military dictator General Ziaur Rahman wanted to erase the name of Awami League after the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu as he [Zia] considered the party his main enemy.
The premier made the statement when leaders of Awami League and its associate bodies came to her Ganobhaban residence this morning on the occasion of her 33rd Homecoming Day, BSS reports.
“General Zia was appointed army chief by Khandakar Moshtaque and he was made the president and army chief simultaneously as he forced the then president Justice ASM Sayem to step down at gunpoint,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said: “After becoming president, Zia wanted to destroy the signs and spirit of the War of Liberation side by side with erasing the name of Awami League.”
Senior Awami League leaders including Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Begum Matia Chowdhury, Obaidul Quader, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Advocate Sahara Khatun, Syed Ashraful Islam and PM’s Advisor HT Imam were present, among others.
The prime minister said Zia grabbed the state power by violating the constitution.
“The country witnessed frequent coups during his [Zia’s] rule and he killed sector commanders of the War of Liberation one after another,” she said.
Source: Dhaka Tribune