BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Thursday said Awami League can never be a pro-liberation force since it had established a one-party rule obliterating democracy.

“Awami League used to say it is a pro-democracy and pro-liberation force, but they established a one-party rule,” he said.

Speaking at a views-exchange meeting, the BNP leader said Awami League does not let people exercise their right to express their opinions freely whenever it comes to power.

“So, can they be a pro-liberation force? I will say everywhere that Awami League can never be a pro-liberation force,” he observed.

As part of its ongoing talks with the party’s grassroots leaders, BNP organised the views-exchange meeting with the party-backed current and former union parishad chairmen under Dhaka division at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office.

Dr Moyeen questioned the role of Awami League it played when the Pakistani occupation forces swooped on the nation like hyenas in the darkest night of March 25, 1971.

“They played the role of an escaping political party. They ran away and took shelter elsewhere like cowards. What did Ziaur Rahman do? He declared independence. He was not afraid of Pakistanis. These words should be conveyed to the new generation,” he observed.

Dr Moyeen alleged that the government is trying to mislead people by spreading propaganda and portraying false history against Ziaur Rahman. “We must present the real history before the young generation.”

He voiced high hope that they will achieve success in their current movement for the restoration of democracy by ousting the current regime. “We’ll surely end the misrule of the present government and establish a democratic government.”

The BNP leader urged the grassroots leaders to play a significant role in making the ongoing anti-government movement a success.

BNP acting Chairman Tariq Rahman joined the meeting virtually from London.