The BNP yesterday accused the ruling Awami League of distorting party chairperson Khaleda Zia’s statement in the party’s just concluded national council. “It is a matter of regret that the government is misleading people by distorting the statement of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia,” said party acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Addressing a press conference at the party's central office in Naya Paltan, Fakhrul clarified that Khaleda told the council that the next election would be held under a “neutral government without Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina”. On Sunday, the Prime Minister had wanted to know whether Khaleda was planning to kill her with an August 21-like grenade attack or any other means to hold the election “without her”. “We expect Sheikh Hasina to take part in the election,” said Fakhrul, expressing optimism that the AL would refrain from spreading such misinformation from now on. He alleged that the ministers are making statements threatening the BNP chairperson, which would destroy the country’s political atmosphere. The BNP leader claimed that the party chairperson wants a congenial atmosphere rather than the politics of vengeance. “That’s why she wants to resolve the current political impasse through talks,” he said. Regarding the outcome of the recently held national council, Alamgir said party leaders and activists have been rejuvenated by it. “It has set an example of positive politics,” he added. BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, among others, was present at the press meet.