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Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Sunday that the bankrupt Awami League is attempting to return in various disguises.

He came up with the remarks in response to a question at a press conference held at BNP chairperson’s political office in the capital’s Gulshan after a meeting between the BNP, led by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and Singapore’s non-resident high commissioner to Dhaka, Derek Loh.

Khasru said, ‘When the people of the country reject you (AL), you try to return in different forms. Sometimes you bring up Hindu-Muslim issues; on the other times, you portray images of oppression against Hindus. Now, again, they are coming in the guise of Trump.’

In reality, their existence has faded, he said, adding that ‘they are trying to re-enter the country in various disguises. This shows their political weakness and proves they are politically bankrupt.’

He said, ‘Why do they have to appear as Trump? Why in the guise of oppression against Hindus? Why have they reached this condition as a political force? They themselves are proving this.’

‘If they have courage and support, they should return in their original form. But they no longer have it; Awami League has lost that,’ he said.

When asked regarding BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad, Amir Khosru said, ‘Some processes are pending, this is why Khaleda Zia’s going abroad is delayed.’

‘She will be sent abroad for treatment only after the procedures are completed. We expect the processes would be completed in a short time,’ he added.

About the meeting with Derek Loh, Khasru said that the meeting discussed issues of mutual interest between the two countries.

‘Singapore believes that economic investment and activities become easier with an elected government in place. During discussions on labour force, Singapore emphasised the potential for sending skilled workers, particularly educated nurses, to Singapore,’ he added.

Meanwhile, BNP’s standing committee member Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said on Sunday that the Awami League did not give proper status to Ziaur Rahman (former president and BNP’s founder), as the martyred president was a rare personality of Bangladesh and the name of a legend.

He came up with the remarks while addressing a discussion held at the National Press Club in Dhaka arranged by Zia Parishad.

Hafiz said, ‘How cruel Hasina was, how many students she has killed. How ruthless they were for state power. Now she wants to live in another country under cover of Trump’s picture.’

He urged Sheikh Hasina to come Bangladesh saying that now Ziaur Rahman is no more but his party BNP is still there. We will all protect the independence and sovereignty of this country.’

Hafiz also said, ‘The past 16 years have been a difficult time for us. In Bangladesh, we criticised the Awami League government. But how cruel they are, their true picture was revealed during the anti-discrimination student movement.’

Ziaur Rahman is called the leader of the cantonment. But he was a patriotic Democrat at heart.

He was the elected president of the country, he added.