BNP not an obstacle to AL ban, says Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi

Dhaka, Dec 01 - BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday said it is not correct that their party is a barrier to banning the Awami League.

“Some in the interim government are propagating through their remarks and statements that BNP is an obstacle to banning the Awami League, which is not correct,” he told a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.

The BNP leader said that the government holds the sole authority to decide whether to ban the Awami League or not. "It is regrettable to blame BNP for this," Rizvi bemoaned.

He mentioned that their party had also protested when the Awami League government banned Jamaat. “We hope that the interim government, including the chief advisor and other advisers, will refrain from making statements that weaken the democratic forces or create divisions in our unity,” Rizvi said.

Rizvi said, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has already urged the interim government to take urgent steps to ensure the political and economic empowerment of the people.

“Earn the trust of the people. Stay in their trust. The national unity against autocracy has been forged through the blood of several thousands of students,” he said.

Rizvi said the government must show prudence so that its action or word does not cause a rift in the unity of the students and the people.-UNB