DHAKA: Opposition BNP Secretary-General Khandaker Delwar Hossain Wednesday said Ziaur Rahman redeemed Awami League and legalized its politics after the 1975 political changeover.

"President Ziaur Rahman had introduced multiparty democracy in the country," said the BNP leader, as the party faithful remembered in gratitude the slain founder of the party on its founding anniversary.

He was addressing journalists after placing floral wreaths at the grave of Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city in observance of BNP`s 32nd founding anniversary.

He further observed that Sheikh Hasina became prime minister of the country because Zia had initiated multiparty democracy, reversing the one-party system of socialist-type politics introduced through the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution.   

General Zia’s government brought the Fifth Amendment that revived the multiparty system and made some major changes to the fundamentals of the Constitution. The Supreme Court has now annulled this amendment.       

“Awami League is out to destroy BNP and they continued their bid,” Delwar told the reporters.

"The people of this country will give Awami League a lesson on popularity of BNP in the next elections," he said.

BDST: 1445 HRS, SEPTEMBER 1, 2010.