BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday alleged that President Mohammed Shahabuddin is trying rehabilitate deposed fascist ruler Sheikh Hasina as he was appointed by her.

Talking to reporters at a programme in the Bank Town area, he also said, just as a ‘fleeing wife’ does not need a divorce letter, similarly, a fleeing leader like Sheikh Hasina does not need a resignation letter from her position as Prime Minister.

“The President was appointed by her (Hasina). He was involved with Chhatra League during his student life and was also associated with Jubo League. We refrained from saying anything against about him because we wanted him to play a neutral role. But his tone is gradually changing,” Rizvi said.

He said the President mentioned he has not received any resignation letter from Sheikh Hasina. "A woman who leaves her husband for another man, does she provide a divorce letter? Similarly, a fleeing leader does not submit a resignation letter. That can happen. But we know she (Hasina) submitted her resignation letter."

The BNP leader said the President made such remarks as he seeks to align himself with the Chhatra League and Jubo League in efforts to rehabilitate Sheikh Hasina.

He noted that the President had remained silent after Sheikh Hasina’s fall amid a fierce student-led mass movement. "But gradually he is becoming a follower of Sheikh Hasina. He’s doing it probably as part of a plot.”

Amra BNP Proribar organised the programme to provide financial assistance to the families of Ashabul Yamin and Nafisa, who were killed in police firing during the student-led movement. Rizvi handed over cash to the families of the two martyrs. 

Rizvi claimed that associates of the autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina are conspiring in various ways to create chaos in the country. “Awami League members opened fire at Chittagong University yesterday (Monday). They will emerge from their hideouts to instigate instability,” he said.

He criticised the government for failing to take action against Awami League ministers, MPs, and leaders involved in mass killings. “If fascism is revived, the interim government will have to bear the responsibility for it.”

The BNP leader also said the cohorts of the fascist Awami League are positioned in various locations with their black money and illegal weapons, as the government has not made strong efforts to recover these arms or arrest the terrorists.

He urged the government to swiftly complete the necessary state reforms to prepare for the next national election.