Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Thursday dismissed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s allegation that its senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman wanted to block her niece’s victory in the UK polls terming it absurd and illogical.  

‘The prime minister told Parliament that Tarique Rahman tried to block Tulip Siddique’s victory in the UK polls. Her allegation is absurd and it has no practical basis,’ said BNP spokesman Asaduzzaman Ripon.

Addressing a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, he said there is no reason for Tarique to interfere in Britain’s internal politics. ‘We think the UK chapter of Awami League has given the Prime Minister and the AL chief false information about it just to appease her.’

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused BNP Tarique Rahman of trying his best to block Tulip Siddiq’s victory in the UK polls. ‘You know, Khaleda Zia’s son (Tarique) taking political asylum (in the UK) tried his best to block Tulip's win (in UK elections).’

The premier was speaking on thanksgiving motion on three Bangladesh-origin women -- Rushanara Ali, Rupa Huq and Tulip SIddiq -- for being elected as members of the British House of Commons.

Reacting to the PM’s comment, Ripon said Tarique has no interest in UK’s politics and he did not play any role against any candidate in the UK polls. ‘Tarique Rahman is always interested in Bangladesh politics and he always thinks about the country’s people, its democracy and future.’

‘As our party is now out of parliament, I, on behalf of my party, has clarified the issue. We hope after our clarification, misconception over the issue will be over,’ the BNP spokesman added.

Ripon also rejected the prime minister’s allegation that Ziaur Rahman had tried to obstruct her homecoming saying she presented wrong in Parliament.

‘The prime minister’s information, no matter from which sources she got it, has no basis. President Zia, during his rule had never tried to block the AL presidents’ homecoming. Instead, he was very sincere and active about bringing her back home, and he played an important role so that she could return home, do normal politics and enjoy her civic rights,’ the BNP leader observed.

He also said Zia had never obstructed any AL leader from going to India to meet Sheikh Hasina when she was in exile as he sincerely wanted the AL president to return home.

He said Zia had never believed in annihilating his opponents to cling to power. ‘He believed in multiparty democracy and knew it that Awami League was necessary to keep the multiparty democracy vibrant.’

The BNP leader said Awami League had destroyed its existence by introducing Baksal and it was Zia who revived the party by introducing multiparty democracy.

‘It’s unfortunate that Awami League now censures Ziaur Rahman who revived the party canceling one-party Baksal rule. Awami League’s such attitude hurts crores of his followers,’ Ripon stated.