The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain yesterday said the then Awami League government of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had split the '72 Constitution through the Fourth Amendment.

Addressing a human-chain programme in the city, Delwar was sharply critical of Prime Minister's statement in Parliament regarding restoration of the '72 Constitution.

There is no scope to go back as the country has undergone many changes since 1972, he said.

Jatiyatabadi Swechhase-bak Dal, an associate organisation of BNP, organised the programme demanding withdrawal of "false" cases and end to "smear campaign" against BNP's senior joint secretary general Tarique Rahman.

Rejecting the allegation against BNP for distorting the original Constitution, Khondoker Delwar said it was Awami League which can be held responsible for distorting the '72 Constitution through the Fourth Amendment.

"They (AL) had established one-party rule through establishing BAKSAL by destroying multi-party democracy in 1975," he said.

The present government, he said wants to stay in power through repression though it has failed to solve any problem of the people.

He asked the government to refrain from filing false cases and also to stop heinous campaigns against BNP leaders and activists.

Referring to the government's move for restoration of secularism in the Constitution, he said, they are talking about secularism but Awami League is a big 'communal party'.

Criticising the incident of burning memorial plaque of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman at Sonargaon Museum and erasing name of Khaleda Zia from plaque at Chandpur, he said such activities are being done with the support of the government.

Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel, president of the organisation and Sharafat Ali Sapu, general secretary and Shafiul Bari Babu, organising secretary, among others, attended the human chain programme.