Recalling that BNP founder Ziaur Rahman had proclaimed the country’s Liberation War, speakers a at a discussion on Tuesday said Awami League will not be able to wipe out his name from history by resorting to falsehood and plots. They also said it was Zia who had inspired the nation to engage in a strong fight against the Pakistani occupation forces by proclaiming the country’s independence while Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had been there in Pakistan jail. As part of its two-day programme to mark the great Independence Day and National Day, BNP arranged the discussion at the Institution of Engineers followed by a cultural function. BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia attended the programme as the chief guest and witnessed the cultural show. Leaders and BNP and its alliance and pro-BNP professionals addressed the discussion. After the discussion, a documentary, ‘Drishtite Bangladesh’, directed by party’s cultural affairs secretary Gazi Mazharul Anwar, was screened at the programme. Speaking on the occasion, Jatiya Party Chairman Kazi Zafar Ahmed said, “Sheikh Mujib was not a freedom fighter. Major Zia himself had proclaimed the independence and joined the war. It’s regrettable that now Awami League is spreading falsehood over the proclamation of the independence.” Liberal Democratic Party chief Oli Ahmed said, “We’d fought the War of Liberation under the leadership of Zia. No one can hide this history.” Criticising the government for what he said its repressive acts and anti-democratic activities, Oli urged the country’s people to take to the streets together to oust the current regime. BNP standing committee member Rafiqul Islam Miah said the main spirit of the Liberation was to establish a democratic Bangladesh. “But today democracy has been deported. A great national unity must be forged to restore democracy.” BNP vice chairman Sadeque Hossain Khoka said Zia had given the nation the right direction by proclaiming the country’s independence from Chittagong Kalurghat Betar. Khoka said Zia’s name would not be erased from the hearts of people, no matter how may plots Awami League hatches. – UNB
