The BNP, apparently in a quandary, has opted for remaining silent for now on the verdict against former Jamaat chief Ghulam Azam and Jamaat men’s violent protest against the judgment.
As part of its strategy, the main opposition party may also refrain from making any comments on today’s verdict in the war crimes case against Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed.
BNP policymakers consider the issue as very tricky. In their view, if the party speaks against the verdict, it may draw public wrath. And if the party speaks in favour of the verdict, it will annoy the Jamaat, a key component of the BNP-led 18-party alliance.
This has put the party in a dilemma in giving any reaction, although the party has earlier spoken against the trial and demanded the release of Jamaat leaders detained on war crimes charges.
“The situation has changed a lot. Right now, it is very difficult to speak against such a verdict. Therefore, remaining silent is the best policy for us now,” a BNP policymaker told The Daily Star on condition of anonymity.
Another policymaker said he was confused about the party’s stance on the matter. The party secretary general, who acts as the party’s spokesman, is away from the country. So he is unable to give the BNP’s reaction.
Besides, party policymakers did not sit to review the situation and decide on its stance, he added.
“So, I am refraining from making any comment on the issue,” he added, preferring anonymity.
Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman, a member of the BNP’s standing committee, however, preferred to talk about law and order following the verdict.
“It is the government’s responsibility to maintain peace and order,” he added.
The BNP had earlier extended moral support to the Jamaat’s hartal, but it did not do so in the case of the shutdowns on Monday, Tuesday and today.
However, party lawmakers refrained from joining parliamentary proceedings on Monday and yesterday.
Contacted, party lawmaker Moudud Ahmed said they felt insecure to move during hartal. “So we did not join parliamentary proceedings.”
Asked whether they had refrained from joining the House as part of their support to the hartal, he said: “We feel insecure during all hartals.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in parliament yesterday accused the BNP of extending support to the Jamaat’s hartal by refraining from joining the House session yesterday and on Monday.
Source: The Daily Star
