LONDON: BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman said ‘killing’ of democracy’ and ‘extreme failure of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’ had brought BNP’s founder Ziaur Rahman in politics.

“Mujibur’s own party Awami League strangled democracy to death and there were no alternative except Zia to come to politics for the existence of Bangladesh,” said the BNP leader, who is now in a ‘self-exile’ in London.

Tarique came up with the remarks while addressing a function to mark the 33rd death anniversary of BNP’s founder Ziaur Rahman as the chief guest in London.

During his hour-long speech, Tarique castigated Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina.

“The rules of Sheikh Mujib and Sheikh Hasina have varied similarities in corruption and misruling,” he said.

Comparing the Jatiyo Rakkhi Bahini to the RAB, Tarique said “Rakkhi Bahini was a name of horror during the post-independence era of Sheikh Mujib; and, in his (Mujib) daughter’s tenure, RAB has appeared like that horror.”

The BNP’s self-exiled leader again termed Mijub-led first government illegal.

Citing the incumbent government illegal, Tarique urged all to begin united anti-government movement under the leadership of his mother, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.

He also termed the January 5 polls as a voter-less one and criticized the present Election Commission (EC).

“This EC is biased and backboneless” said Tarique.

The UK unit of BNP organized the function at a banqueting hall at Alford in greater London.

Tarique also inaugurated the signature campaign demanding RAB’s disbanding there.

Professor Dr KM Malek of Cardiff University, BNP UK unit acting president Mian Monirul Alam and Bogra BNP president VP Saiful Islam, among others, spoke at the function.

Local BNP unit president Choudhury Kuddus and general secretary Kaisar M Ahmed jointly moderated the programme.

Tarique was seen sitting on the audience line throughout the function except when he delivered the speech and welcomed the audience awhile as the chief guest at the beginning of the programme.

BDST: 1146 HRS MAY 29, 2014