BNP on Friday criticised Prime Sheikh Hasina for her remarks on the demolition of Ashrayan houses with hammers and shovels, saying that she has taken a stance in “favour of corruption”.

“The houses the Prime Minister has given to homeless people are collapsing.  But the Prime Minister is saying that these houses are being destroyed with hammers and shovels,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Speaking at a human-chain programme, he said Hasina tried to cover up the corruption of lakhs of crores taka by talking about hammers and shovels.

“The prime minister has taken a position in favour of corruption. But she didn’t catch those indulged in looting in the Ashrayan Project, and she diverted people’s attention to a different direction,” Rizvi said.

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Bangladesh Youth Forum arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club in protest against ‘false’ campaign and ‘conspiracy’ against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

On Thursday, speaking at Awami League’s central working committee meeting at her official residence Ganobhaban, Hasina alleged that some people had broken the houses with hammers and shovels and the media published the pictures of those.

Rizvi also slammed Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader for what he said continuously spreading ‘lies’ against BNP and its leaders.   

“He, Quader, suddenly comes up with such a remark that gives people an impression that he’s probably devoid of conscience. He can’t understand that he’s lying blatantly,” the BNP leader said.

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Rizvi said the government has restored to repressive acts like enforced disappearance and arrest of opposition leaders and activists to hang on to power by suppressing people and annihilating democracy.

He urged the people of all walks of life and opposition political parties to get united for restoring democracy and people’s rights by ousting the Awami League government through a united movement.