AL cannot do politics under its current name: BNP’s Salahuddin

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed has stated that the Awami League can no longer engage in politics under its current name in Bangladesh as people have rejected its fascist politics through the July mass uprising.

Speaking at a discussion today (5 February), he also called for the trial of the Awami League for its involvement in mass killings and crimes against humanity.

The Anchalik Sampadak Parishad organised the discussion titled "National Unity and Current Reality" at the National Press Club.

"We want to make it clear that the people of Bangladesh have rejected the fascist politics of the Awami League through the uprising of students and the masses, driving them out of the country. 

"We are now raising the demand that the party can no longer do politics in Bangladesh keeping the name Awami League," the BNP leader said.

He also criticised the interim government for failing to take necessary steps for the trial of the Awami League.

"We also demand the trial of Awami League as a political organisation for mass killings and crimes against humanity," Salahuddin said.

He further said it should be determined through judicial process whether the Awami League should be allowed to engage in politics in Bangladesh, or not.

The BNP leader also mentioned that the people of Bangladesh want the Awami League's fascist politics to be eliminated from the country. 

"You [interim government] can take steps in this regard," he said.

"On one hand, you want to ban Awami League, yet on the other hand, you won't prosecute them, and further, you use the police to obstruct their political programmes. These are contradictions, and it is not right," he added.