The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Barrister Rafiqul Huq, who is trying to seat former prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia together, has launched an incandescent attack on acting Awami League general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam for his advice not to meddle with politics.

"If Ashraful has spoken taking aim at me, he's made a mistake. If he gave this statement aiming at me it is very sad," barrister Huq told bdnews24.com, as he came out all guns blazing.

Ashraful earlier yesterday suggested business leaders and

him, without taking names, that they had better not intrude in political affairs since the party had not received any message from the interim government about the proposed dialogue.

"But interestingly, a lawyer and business people seem to be overly intrigued by the possibilities of the meeting between the two leaders. I'd advise them to pursue their own professions and not bother the politicians," Ashraful had said to reporters after a meeting with acting British high commissioner Duncan Norman at his house.

Barrister Huq, who defends both Hasina and Khaleda in court, said: "I don't know Ashraful. He also does not know me. I have never spoken to him in my life."

"I've talked with Sheikh Hasina. After talking with Sheikh Hasina I've spoken of the talks between the two leaders across the table."

"I am a briefless barrister! That is why I am trying to talk politics, trying to meddle with politics!"

"There is no relation between my proposal to bring the two leaders across the table and politics. I spoke the people's mind."

Continued Huq, "If the lawyers should not do politics a third of the seats in the Jatiya Sangsad would fall vacant. At least one hundred members of our 300-seat parliament are lawyers."

"Not only in Bangladesh, in the UK, the USA, India, Pakistan, Malaysia and in many other civilised countries of the world a big number of parliament members are lawyers."