BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today (24 October) accused Jamaat-e-Islami of having an understanding with the Awami League (activities banned), claiming that his party had already presented documents and evidence to substantiate the allegation.
"Just a few days after 5 August, when the blood of the martyrs had not yet dried, their Ameer said they would forgive everything the Awami League had done," he told reporters after taking part in a dengue awareness leaflet distribution programme at Fakirapool in the capital.
"They jointly waged movements with the Awami League against the BNP, resorting to arson and violence. These are historical records of their relationship with the Awami League," Rizvi added.
On Friday, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar alleged that the BNP had become moderate after reaching an agreement with the Awami League.
Responding to the allegation, Rizvi challenged Jamaat to produce proof supporting its claim. "Show us the proof of the alleged agreement. We have already shown proof concerning them. These are clearly available in the media," he said.
"We speak on the basis of documents, while they are making empty claims without producing evidence," he said.
He also said Jamaat contested elections alongside the Awami League in 1986, despite previously describing those who participated in elections under HM Ershad as "national traitors".
"The BNP did not betray the people, and Begum Khaleda Zia did not betray them. They were the ones who betrayed the people. When Hasina left, Jamaat quietly went along with her," Rizvi said.
He further alleged that Jamaat was seeking political legitimacy from the Awami League.
"They need a stamp of legitimacy from the Awami League. There are records of an Awami League leader bowing to and greeting their former leader, late Ghulam Azam, by holding his feet. You are media professionals, and those documents are available to you," he said.
Rizvi said questions remained about Jamaat's role in 1971, adding that the party was seeking the Awami League's endorsement for that reason.
"Behind the scenes and publicly, they have maintained relationships on various issues. This is acknowledged by history and is an undeniable truth," he claimed.
Rizvi also accused Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar of trying to embarrass the current government through falsehoods and propaganda.
BNP working to prevent dengue outbreak
Speaking about the BNP's dengue prevention campaign, Rizvi said the party was working to prevent the disease from spreading further.
He said dengue had spread widely in Dhaka and different parts of the country, with Khulna and Chattogram divisions particularly affected.
Rizvi said the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was highly concerned about dengue and was taking various steps to tackle the outbreak.
He said dengue tests were being provided free of charge at all government hospitals, describing the initiative as an important measure.
He also said the government had kept city corporations alert and prepared to tackle dengue by cleaning stagnant water, drains and sewers.
He said party workers had been asked to raise awareness across Dhaka and the rest of the country and take initiatives to keep drains, sewers, canals and other potential breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes clean.