State minister for home affairs, Shamsul Haq Tuku yesterday said the government would no longer remain the guarantor for BNP leader Tarique Rahman’s parole, claiming that he was living abroad illegally and had engaged in political activities.
During a home ministry briefing on the hartal enforced by BNP-led 18-party alliance, Tuku alleged that the government had allowed Tarique to go abroad only for medical treatment and according to different media reports, “he is now involved in political activities and was directing his followers and Jamaat-Shibir activists to carry out anarchic activities in the country.”
BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rahman, also senior vice-chairman of the party, has been in London since September 11, 2008, on medical grounds after getting bail in various cases. He faces 14 graft charges. He was arrested by the army-backed caretaker government in 2007.
Proceedings in a money laundering case against Tarique and his friend Giasuddin-Al-Mamun is currently underway at a Dhaka court.
Tuku said the ministry would seek cooperation from Interpol to bring Tarique back home as per a court order issued yesterday. “The government will try to bring him back with the assistance of Interpol. But the court may continue the trial process in absence of Tarique as he is a ‘fugitive’ and the ministry is no more his guarantor,” he added.
Claiming that Tarique was conspiring against the government, he said: “He is joining political programmes there [in London] illegally, despite being committed to refrain from political activities. If Tarique wants to be in politics again, he has to surrender before the court and face trial. He can do anything, as long as it is according to the law.”
Terming the BNP leader a “fugitive”, the 14-party alliance leaders have been demanding his trial.
The BNP has reacted sharply to the statements made against Tarique and warned the ruling party leaders to think well before making any comments about him. “If the election is held tomorrow, TariqueRahman will become the prime minister the next day,” ShamsuzzamanDudu, adviser to the BNP chairperson, told journalists on Friday. He said the government was yet to prove a single allegation against Tarique.
Regarding yesterday’s hartal that was called to protest the government ban on processions and rallies, the state minister said the people rejected their destructive activities. He said after calling the hartal, the leaders of the 18-party alliance were camped in their air-conditioned rooms.
Tuku said the government would not allow anybody to conduct any subversive activities and ensure safety of the people and the assets. “Actions will be taken against them.”
