Quader terms BNP’s 27-point demand 'stunt'

The BNP's 27-point demand aiming to repair the state is actually a stunt, said Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.

The demands will not enable the BNP's movement to pick up momentum as people will not be confused by them, Obaidul Quader said at a meeting of the food sub-committee formed ahead of the party's 22nd national conference at the political office of Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday.

Terming BNP's claim to repair the state ridiculous, he said, "The country today is a wonder of the world. Bangladesh 14 years ago is different from Bangladesh today in terms of development. They brought the country to the brink of destruction, but Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina has repaired it by building Digital Bangladesh under her skillful leadership. Now she is moving forward with the goal of making a 'Smart Bangladesh' by 2040.

"We do not steal votes or democracy. They are the ones who rigged elections. They formed 'Aziz Election Commission' with party people."

Mentioning that BNP had organised a farcical yes-no vote, Obaidul Quader said, "We have seen elections in Bangladesh where even 120% vote were cast. They have destroyed the values of democracy and freedom. How will the person who destroyed a thing will repair it? It is a stunt just like their Vision 2030, which is now in the deep freezer."

He further said, "The BNP is the origin of lies. They do not tell the truth. The people of this country are not so stupid as to trust BNP. Their leaders and activists came to the field hoping for power, but they could not bring the common people to the movement."

BNP's call for human rights hypocritical, says foreign minister

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has termed BNP's 27-point demand ridiculous and their statements about human rights hypocritical.

Referring to BNP's demand for ending enforced disappearance, killings and protection of human rights, he said, "There were murders and disappearances across the country during the rule of BNP. At that time 63 districts were bombed. As many as 55 people were killed in the name of Operation Cleanheart. An ambassador was bombed. He survived but many others died. That is why the BNP's talks about human rights seem hypocritical. It is nothing but a source of laughter for us.

"How do people who have committed the most human rights violations talk about human rights? From 2001 to 2006, there was a reign of terror throughout the country. Even the judges of the court could not be at peace," he said in response to journalists' questions after a programme at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in the capital yesterday.

He also said there was a grenade attack on the then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina's rally in front of her office. Twenty-four people died and many were maimed in that incident.