Publicity and Publication Affairs Secretary of the ruling Awami League Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday said BNP has opted for clandestine murders to create an abnormal situation in the country in its bid to force the government to sit for a dialogue, reports BSS. "Failing to create an abnormal situation across the country they (BNP-Jamaat combine) have chosen the path of clandestine murders of foreigners and writers of free thinking and publishers," he said.
Speaking at a discussion as the chief guest in the capital yesterday, Hasan Mahmud also turned down BNP's dialogue offer saying: Dialogue can never be held between the government and a terrorist-militant clique like BNP-Jamaat. Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote organised the discussion at Shilpakala Academy auditorium marking the Shaheed Nur Hossain Day with its general secretary Arun Sarker Rana in the chair. Hasan Mahmud said, "The involvement of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in the recent clandestine killings could be realised from her statements. The matter became crystal clear following the yesterday's remarks of BNP spokesman Asaduzzaman Ripon. There is no doubt anymore that the recent killings were carried out to create an unnatural environment across the country to force the government to sit for a dialogue." "Opponents to progressive forces would be progressive elements. Reactionaries can't be the opponents to progressive forces. Because, miseries of the country can never be ended if the reactionaries become opponents to the progressive forces," he said. The AL leader said, "Former leaders of Muslim League, who used to lead the reactionary forces in the past, have now been led by Khaleda Zia. There is no benefit in sitting for dialogue with her to save the country from her hands. She has to quit politics."
Dr Hasan Mahmud called upon the party leaders-workers and progressive forces to forge a greater unity under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to ensure the forward march of democracy by resisting together the conspiracy of those who want to install an unconstitutional government in power creating an abnormal situation. Former state minister for Home Affairs Advocate Shamsul Haque Tuku, Advocate Talukdar Md Yunus, Dhaka City Awami League organising secretary Shahe Alam Murad and assistant secretary of Awami League sub-committee Iskandar Mirza Shamim were the discussants, among others.