BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the foreign minister's request to the US secretary of state for bringing BNP to the next polls has exposed that it is Awami League, not BNP, seeks foreigners' favour.
"It's unfortunate that our foreign minister during a meeting with the US secretary of state has sought America's favour to bring BNP to the election for the sake of democracy in Bangladesh," he said.
Speaking at a discussion, he said Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader used to accuse BNP of lodging complaints to foreigners. "But now their minister has sought US's favour in public sitting in America. So, it's now become clear that it's Awami League who go to foreigners for getting favour and blessings."
Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa) arranged the program at the National Press Club, marking its founding anniversary.
Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen briefed his US counterpart Antony Blinken about Bangladesh's "transparent and independent" election commission apparently suggesting him to encourage BNP to take part in the election process.
Fakhrul also urged the ruling party to free Khaleda Zia, withdraw political cases against their party leaders and activists, and hand power to a neutral government for a credible election with BNP's participation instead of seeking the US's favour.
On a different note, he slammed Obaidul Quader for his failure to ensure discipline and security on the roads.
"He holds press conferences in very fine language every day. But his ministry has failed miserably to provide road safety across the country, including in Dhaka."
Fakhrul also criticized the government for arresting BNP leader Ishraque Hossain in a “false” case.
"The government is removing those who are fighting for democracy in the field. They're being sent to jail on false charges so that they cannot register their protest," he observed.
The BNP leader said the government has started making all arrangements for holding the next election without opposition parties like 2014's ones.
He alleged that the people of Bangladesh are going through a critical juncture as the government has snatched their all rights.