The president of a faction of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), ASM Abdur Rab, yesterday alleged that the Awami League (AL) had prepared grounds for the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“The Awami League, which now blames the JSD for paving the way for the murder of Bangabandhu, was itself responsible for his death,” said Rab at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity.
His comments came a few days after a debate erupted between the leaderships of AL and another JSD faction, led by Hasanul Haque Inu, where the JSD and other left forces were accused of creating grounds for the killing of Bangabandhu on August 15, 1975.
Rab pointed out that the AL had formed a government which was led by killer Khandaker Moshtaque Ahmed after the assassination of Bangabandhu. "Only the JSD had demanded the hanging of Moshtaque,” he said.
According to Rab, the JSD believes in change of power through democratic means and not by murdering any leader.
Alleging that the law and order situation has taken a nosedive in the country, Rab said, “By abolishing democratic practices, this government is turning the country into a militant state.”
“Who had suggested Bangabandhu to form a political government instead of a revolutionary national government and form a Rakkhi Bahini, and who had created a distance between Tajudidn Ahmed and Bangabandhu?” he raised questions.
Rab urged the AL to re-evaluate the reasons behind the assassination of Bangabandhu.
JSD general secretary Abdul Malek Raton appealed to the people to build a third political force to amalgamate the forces outside the AL and the BNP-led major political alliances.
Former lawmaker MA Gofran, Ataul Karim Faruk, Siraj Miah, Shahiduddin Mahmud Swapan, and Abdul Khaleque, among others, were present at the press conference .