Barred from entering BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s office yesterday, expelled BNP leader Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman unleashed a tirade of abuse against some of the functionaries of his former party.
With metaphorical guns blazing, the former Army officer took aim at Khaleda’s special assistant Shamshur Rahman Shimul Biswas, calling him “Khaleda’s jailer” and claiming he was “in the pay of the government.”
Akhtar has been in the media spotlight before for making comments against the party.
Witnesses said Akhtar approached Khaleda’s office around 4pm and asked to enter, but was denied access by the Chairperson’s Security Force.
Affronted by the refusal of Khaleda’s staff to let him in, Akhtar went on a fiery rant, saying: “The party is confined in the hands of Shimul Biswas...and Shimul Biswas is an agent of the government.
“Shimul Biswas is in the pay of the government. How many times do I have to say this? Begum Khaleda Zia is confined in a house. Shimul Biswas is the chief jailer. He decides who will bring what sort of food.”
“I met madam [Khaleda] during 1/11 and stopped her exile abroad.
“They know we will urge madam to say something and that is why I have been barred from entering the office.
“What is the problem if madam is arrested? She is arrested here, too. If she arrested, then Shimul Biswas will lose his power. He is in contact with the police from the inside,” Major (retd) Akhtaruzzman said.
Attacking the BNP leadership, Akhtar said: “We work for the people but we cannot talk to the people. Young people are being killed, fresh lives are being lost, they [the BNP leadership] just make lists and send them to the newspapers.
“People are being killed but there are no protests, no processions, no meetings, just lists...you people just come here to show your faces. You do not have any constituency, you have no people with you. You are here only to draw up lists.
“You do your politics only on the streets of Gulshan. You have become big leaders...in search of buttering people up and earning money.”
When a BNP leader asked reporters and camera persons not to record his statements or take pictures, Akhtar said: “Please brother show my picture. I want to enter the office...you [BNP leaders] are responsible for the situation today. Today the street is open, where are the leaders? Why are you sitting idle here?”
Akhtaruzzman remained for a quarter of an hour outside the office before leaving.
Earlier, Akhtar entered Khaleda’s office during the Qulkhwani of Arafat Rahman Koko.