Zahid urges Awami League to face the law instead of fleeing

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain today urged the leaders of activities banned Awami League (AL) to face the law and courts instead of remaining in hiding or abroad.

“We do not believe in underground politics. We believe in democracy. If you have the courage, do not flee, rather face the laws and courts,” he made the remarks while talking to the journalists after a meeting with local leaders and activists at local BNP office here.

Criticizing the previous AL government, Dr Zahid said, “Those who shot people like birds, looted the country’s resources and committed massive plunder in the name of mega projects, will have to account for everything on the soil of Bangladesh.”

Challenging those accused to prove their innocence through the courts, he said the people of the country are now more aware what is happening around them.
He alleged that the supporters of the ousted authoritarian regime, now staying abroad, are attempting to destabilise the country by using artificial intelligence and social media to incite people and create a “mob culture.”

The minister said the BNP had remained in the country and carried out its movement to restore the democracy alongside the people.

“The BNP has always stayed in the streets and played its role in establishing the rights of the people,” he said adding that hundreds of the party’s leaders and activists had been subjected to enforced disappearance, while hundreds of thousands were sent to jail.

He further alleged that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had been pushed towards death by depriving her of proper medical treatment.

“Even then, the moral of BNP leaders and activists could not be broken and none of our leaders and activists showed any lack of loyalty to the party,” he added.

District BNP Convener Jahirul Islam Kachchu, Joint Convener and District Council Administrator M A Majid, District Jubo Dal President Ferdous Wahid Russell, District Swechhasebak Dal Member Secretary Moniruzzaman Manik and leaders and activists of the district and upazila BNP and its affiliated organisations were present at the meeting.