Dhaka: The government has designed a new plot to make BNP’s competent and popular leaders disqualified for contesting the next election, alleges BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Monday.

‘A fresh conspiracy is on against qualified and popular BNP leaders so that they can’t take part in the election. Tarique Rahman is the first victim of it,’ he said.

Speaking at a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club, the BNP leader further said, ‘It’s the government’s wrong perception that an atmosphere for victory of its candidates will be ensured after convicting Tarique Rahman and some other of our leaders in false cases. Any of our leaders will win against you (AL) as people are angry at you.’

Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas) arranged the programme protesting BNP senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman’s conviction in a money-laundering case, reports UNB.

Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said the government cannot think of quitting power fearing the consequences of its misdeeds it has committed.

Referring to Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu’s comment that huge money of different government programmes is being embezzled my public representatives and bureaucrats, the BNP leader said the government has indulged in limitless corruption and misdeeds.

‘The information minister who’s only duty is to hurl invective at our chairperson Khaleda Zia is now saying the lawmakers are stealing 80 percent money from Test Relief (TR) and Food for Work and other programmes,’ Nazrul Islam said.