Dhaka: Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday questioned on which moral ground Dr Kamal Hossain and Badruddoza Chowdhury are forging a national unity with BNP as its leaders are convicted in August-21 cases.

‘Those who now talks about democracy and the rule of law are going to forge a national unity with killers. People will never believe this national unity and support it,’ he said while speaking at a programme of Road Transport Department at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, reports the UNB.

Quader further said, ‘The mastermind of the August-21 was sentenced to life imprisonment. He (Tarique) is the acting chairman of the party. On which moral ground, you’re forging unity with the party. Are Dr Kamal Hossain and ex-President Badruddoza Chowdhury making a so-called national unity with the killers’ party?’

On Wednesday, a speedy trial tribunal sentenced 19 people to death and 19 others, including BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman to life imprisonment, in two cases filed over the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in the capital in 2004.

Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said those who forge unity with killers, convicted and corrupt persons are politically bankrupt and devoid of morality.

Reacting to BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s remark that August-21 verdicts are dictated ones, he said no one having conscience can say it.

‘How was the evidence (of August-21 cases) destroyed when you’re in power? How did the attackers get the chance to flee in broad daylight? Why’re the unexploded grenades destroyed?’ the ruling party leader raised the questions seeking an answer from BNP.

Mentioning that Khaleda Zia was the full-fledged Home Minister when the grenade attack was made, Quader said the BNP chief also cannot avoid the responsibility for the incident.