Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday termed 'extremely audacious' Food Minister Quamrul Islam's comment on Chief Justice SK Sinha following the Supreme Court's verdict that cancelled the 16th constitutional amendment.

"The Food Minister's remarks about the Chief Justice is extremely audacious and a grave threat to the independent judiciary," said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

He came up with the comment while speaking at a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office.

Speaking at a discussion meeting at Dhaka Bar Association auditoriumon Thursday, Quamrul demanded the removal of the Chief Justice. "If he (Sinha) had the minimum sense of morality, he would have resigned willingly. Or else, the lawyers will wage a strong movement against him from September."

He also alleged that the Chief Justice is speaking in BNP's tune making an entente with anti-liberation forces.

Protesting the minister's comment, Rizvi suggested Quamrul to see his own face in the mirror as he has been holding the office even after being convicted by the apex court. "Though you've broken the oath of protecting the constitution, still you're holding the office as a minister."

He said Quamrul cannot tolerate the rule of law as he himself is convicted by the Supreme Court.

The BNP leader also alleged that Quamrul's brother was the biggest Razakar commander of Dhaka city and peace committee chairman during the Liberation War.

He said those who are destroying all the state institutions and snatching people's voting rights are now advising the Chief Justice to step down.

Rizvi alleged that the police and ruling party cadres are obstructing their party's member collection drive across the country.

Besides, he said, their party's around 300 leaders and activists were arrestedon Thursdayat different parts of the country, including Jessore, Mymensingh and Jhenidah.

He strongly condemned the arrest of BNP men and demanded the government immediately stop its countrywide mass arrest drive.