DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also Awami League (AL) president, asked to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia about her whereabouts during the time of Ziaur Rahman’s murder.

The premier asked the question while addressing a rally, organised to observe 65th anniversary of the party, at Suhrawardy Udyan in city on Friday.

She said, “They (BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman, also BNP’s Senior Vice-President) recently said that our hands are blood stained. But I want to ask her why you and your son didn’t want to see the body of Ziaur Rahman.”

Hasina also said, “Ershad assumed power after the murder of the former president Ziaur Rahman. He gave them a luxurious house in Cantonment. Now, you (Khaleda) accused Ershad for Zia murder.”

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made Ziaur Rahman as deputy chief of army, but Zia betrayed him, she added.

AL general secretary and LGRD minister Sayed Ashraful Islam, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, among other leaders, were present in the rally.

Ahead of the rally, huge law enforcers were deployed around the place to avert unwanted situation.

BDST: 2135 HRS, JUNE 27, 2014