Relief and Disaster Management Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya (Bir Bikram) on Wednesday said BNP should be tried for sheltering and patronising the war criminals.
"BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia will have to appear on the dock for trial for her act of destructing country's economy and she will have to answer to the people for trying to save the war criminals," he said.
The minister said this while speaking as the chief guest at an anti-hartal rally in front of Awami League central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city.
Sammilito Awami Samarthak Jote organised the demonstration with its chairman, and Dhaka City Awami League (AL) publicity secretary, Abdul Huq Sabuj in the chair. Dhaka City AL joint general secretary Awlad Hossain, organsing secretary Shahe Alam Murad and executive committee member Hedayetul Islam Swapan also spoke at the rally, among others.
Maya, also coordinator of Dhaka City 14-party alliance, said BNP has no right to demand midterm polls as they have no representation in the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) and they are not on the street.
"BNP not only sheltered and patronised the war criminals but also made them partners in the state power in an independent country while they have also extended their hands with the militants. So, talks can't be held between the government and the patrons of anti-liberation force Jamaat," he added.
The minister said, "The national polls will not be held before 2019. The next national polls will be held in accordance with the constitution."       ?BSS